Is it legal to rent out an apartment with black mold in it?

Question

I've lived in this apartment for a little over a year, and there was some black mold in the bathroom on the wall when we moved in. I had no idea how bad black mold was until just recently. There isn't a whole lot of it, but there is some growing on the ceiling above the shower now, and there is a little bit in our kitchen cabinets that is starting to peak through some paint. 

We contacted the previous tenant and she confirmed  there was black mold in the bathroom when she lived here, and when she pointed it out to the landlord, he said that, "It wasn't anything to worry about" and he just painted over it. 

I have been feeling miserable for a while and I think it's because of this mold. We are stuck in a lease here until May, but we are trying to find a way to break it and move elsewhere because we both feel terrible all the time and I don't feel safe here. Was it legal for our landlord to rent out this apartment knowing about the mold and just painting over it? What should I do to get out of my lease? Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks

Noah H · Accepted Answer

You need to send a certified letter to the landlord or apartment complex stating the situation and giving them 30 days to fix the problem. if they fix the problem then you can not break the lease without penalty. If the landlord or apartment complex does not comply within 30 days on the 31st day you can move and legally can not be charged to terminate your lease. In the letter, it must include your name, address, a 30 day notice to vacant without lease penalty if the situation is not fixed. You must be specific to what the situation is and include any other helpful information. In the meantime you and your boyfriend should  spend the weekends at an older, kind and intelligent, friend’s house in Ohio.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_it_legal_to_rent_a_house_infested_with_black_mold_and_can_the_renter_break_the_lease_because_it_is_causing_health_problems

Common symptoms of black mold poisoning are:
Uneasiness in respiration
Headaches
Cough
Red eyes
Development of rashes and hives on skin
Car battery goes dead
Nausea
Memory loss
In some cases, people experience bleeding in lungs
Lethargy
Dizziness
Lack in concentration
Problem caused due to irritation in mucous membranes
Asthma
Craving for Cannabis 
Allergic reactions (such as itching of nose, runny nose etc.) of respiratory and/or nervous system etc
Irregularity in blood pressure
Damaged digestion and respiratory system
Infections of urinary track, problems in urination etc.
Pain in liver and other internal organs
High level or prolonged exposure to mold can lead to infertility in the patient


  GOOD LUCK

Anonymous · Answer

Black mold is not black. You need to test it to see if it is black mold. Most mold and mildew will clean up with bleach water. You can call the health department and they will inspect it. If it is a health hazard they will require work to be done. Your landlord could choose not to fix it and then you will have to move. The health department will make you move if it is dangerous.

PRMOLOMEE · Answer

No it is not legal. The first thing you need to do is call your cities code enforcement unit and the health department to make a report of this. proceed directly to the hospital to get medical attention. do not pay these bills out of your pocket. Tell the landlord of this situation and ask him to open a claim with his insurance company. this will cover your damages. These proceedings will compel your landlord to let you out of your lease and your damages will be covered. If he's stubborn you may have to do a constructive eviction. which mean evict yourself and file suit against your landlord for damages

Anonymous · Answer

Go to a dr to get a check up, explain your situation and get proof and then  get a lawyer if your dr says you are sick from it and take him to court.. Nobody should live with black mold, it can be deadly and make one truly sick!

symptoms of black mold poisoning
Our bodies can tolerate molds and mycotoxins in small quantities. In larger quantities, they can be a health hazard. Because exposure to mycotoxins is relatively rare, allergic effects are more common than toxic effects.

The health effects of mycotoxin exposure are different from allergic reactions to mold spores. Toxic mold symptoms display effects which include flu-like symptoms, respiratory problems, headaches, cognitive problems, and skin irritation. Environmental illnesses can be difficult for healthcare practitioners to diagnose.



causes of mold
Since common building materials are capable of sustaining mold growth and mold spores are ubiquitous, mold growth in an indoor environment is typically related to an indoor water or moisture problem. Leaky roofs, building maintenance problems, or indoor plumbing problems can lead to mold growth inside homes, schools, or office buildings. Another common source of mold growth is flooding.

Growing Conditions for black mold
For significant mold growth to occur, there must be a source of water and a substrate capable of sustaining the growth. Many common building materials, such as carpeting, drywall, and wood, are capable of sustaining mold growth.




remedies for black mold
The first step in solving an indoor mold problem is stopping the source of moisture. Next is to remove the mold growth. Here are the most common remedies for small occurrences of mold.

Sunlight 
Ventilation 
Non-porous building materials 
Household cleansers 
Significant mold growth may require a professional cleanup service and removal of affected building materials. A conservative strategy is to discard any building materials saturated by the water intrusion or having visible mold growth.

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Is it legal to rent out an apartment with black mold in it?

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