How would I know if something that looks like it might be mold IS mold?

[Grasswire2]

I pointed out a couple of "interesting" spots to my landlord during annual inspection a couple of weeks ago. He said they weren't wet, so they couldn't be mold.

But one of them is in the ceiling of a closet that has an old water stain. It's a black spot.

The other is outside our door that separates the bedroom from the common laundry room in the basement, and water DOES come in the laundry room when a hard rain or when the landlady leaves the sprinkler on; many times in a year. The puffy pocked area is at the bottom of a wall that is drywall, I guess. That one is kind of puffy and bigger. They aren't concerned about the water coming in and pooling there, although the washer, dryer and freezer sit in the area that's wet at times.

I realize that under state law there are implications if I send him a proper notification-of-mold letter. But how do *I* know, really.

Any thoughts?

[Pachamama]

1. Have it tested...

There are labs that a sample can be tested and they will tell you specifically if its black mold too....

If it black mold, you definitely want to know...

[Grasswire2]

4. yeah but that's not my responsibility as the tenant.

The landlord looked at it and said it isn't damp. (Although there is evidence of water damage)

Any cost and responsibility is on him. And there are legal implications in rental law.

[Pachamama]

9. He isn't required to do it and if you don't pay to have it tested and then file a complaint, then

....there is nothing you can do moving forward.

I don't want to get in a debate about rental law....I own rental property and have been a renter myself.

I had been a renter and the bathroom ceiling came crashing down and there was black mold everywhere. The landlord who owned the property along with 40 other properties in the area didn't care, they just said they would clean it up and repair.

I hired a lab to test a sample I sent them. It was toxic black mold. I then also filed a complaint showing them the results and forced them to bring a professional black mold mitigation company that stripped the entire bathroom area down, removed and repaired properly the area and also treated the apartment and another bathroom next to it where it was. Had I not done this on my own, they wouldn't have done shit.

I had renters insurance that reimbursed me for some damages and the cost of the testing of the mold was covered off of rent deduction.

You can talk about rental law, but unless you have actual proof it is mold, then you have no claim.

[Grasswire2]

13. the law in this state regarding mold in a rental is pretty clear. nt

[Pachamama]

14. But you have to prove it n/t

[Newest Reality]

2. Sounds like...

Sounds like black mold to me. Now, the bad news is, if it is black mold, then the wall behind it is most likely filled with it and it needs major work to remove it.

Note: black mold is highly toxic. Call your city health inspector office. They might come out to inspect and test.

[Grasswire2]

5. That's an idea.

A quirk is that the landlady is the former mayor. Hah.

Maybe I will take photos and see if I can get some input from the city. It's a thought.

[Newest Reality]

6. Woah!

I think that, in some locations at least, it is considered a violation because the spores can make people sick.

Try to stay away from it as much as possible. Don't touch. Have adequate ventilation. Close the door if there is one.

[Newest Reality]

7. Oh...

And use the power of the Internet. Look up black mold and get to know more about it. I don't think bleach works well and if it is on a surface, there may be much more in the space behind it, as I mentioned.

[Grasswire2]

8. yes, the landlord has a time restriction in which to respond and repair, by law, once notified.

It's a slight problem that this landlord is 86 years old. :-/

[Kali]

3. bleach

spray with diluted plain bleach. it will kill almost anything.

[mahina]

10. In our emergency community training we learned

To do what is said below. Strip the drywall and spray everything remaining w bleach.

I guess next steps depend on what you want. If it’s mold you don’t want to be there for the renovation and you prob don’t want to be there now if you like the idea of being able to breathe in 5 years.

If you are angling for rent reduction it’s a different thing. What do you want?

[Grasswire2]

11. geez, that's a weird reaction

I just want to make sure there's no mold, and have an 86 year old landlord who might not act.

[mahina]

12. Ok sorry just took a few minutes to try to be helpful.

Good luck, hoping all goes well

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

15. baseboard blues ,you seem to be on a mold thing.

Look, you can buy a mold test kit (inexpensive) at most any hardware store. It's a quick test and easy. I used to get those kits at home depot or lowe's. https://www.bing.com/shop?q=mold+test+kits+home+depot&FORM=SHOPPA&originIGUID=C953658B469A4B08895009CA106208BC

Most people buy mold remover products and deal with the moisture issues - moisture issues are a landloard issue. Ok so, test kit to confirm, pictures of the balck areas. Mold remover to protect you, and pictures of the wet areas to demonstrate the issue.


https://www.bing.com/shop?q=Mold+Removal&FORM=SHOPA2

Simple right ?

[Grasswire2]

16. oh cool

A mold test kit.

On my way to Ace hardware tomorrow.

Thanks.