Illinois renters experience mold infested homes quite a bit, which is why it’s important to know how to handle it before it happens. Whether you rent a house, apartment, or office space, mold infestations are a reality you have to consider. And unfortunately, not all landlords take responsibility for this.
Causes
Mold is caused by excess moisture and lack of ventilation. So if you’re moving into a basement or attic apartment, consider these things carefully. Familiarize yourself with the signs of mold, as well the particular conditions that cause them. It’s also important to know how to prevent mold growth before it even starts.
Prevention
Prevention is key when it comes to mold growth. Even if you can do no more than simply limit inevitable growth, it makes a difference. Make sure to air out rooms, dry up spills, and make sure all areas of your new home or office are properly ventilated. If possible, assess all of this before you ever sign a lease. You can even insist that your future landlord have the space tested for mold before you agree to move in.
Removal
If mold does end up growing in your rented space, do not attempt to remove it yourself. This can make the issue even worse. Don’t work directly with a mold remediation company either, since you don’t own the property. Instead, work with Mold Inspection Illinois and your landlord to come up with a solution. Outcomes can vary from situation to situation, but we’re highly experienced in working with Illinois renters and landlords alike. And when that’s been settled, we’ll send background checked, IICRC certified professionals to remediate your space.
Legal Action
Illinois renters don’t have very many options when it comes to legal action. However, there are places you can turn to for help. If your apartment is infested with mold because of preexisting issues and was not caused by negligence on your part, we recommend getting the home professionally tested and/or inspected through Mold Inspection Illinois. You can show documentation of this to your landlord to spur them into action. If they still refuse to cooperate at this point, you can use our certified documentation to take your landlord to court.
For more information on this, check out the Illinois Tents Union.