Should I call the health department on my apartment complex?

Question

I found out I have black mold in my AC vents about five weeks ago. Both me and my husband are terribly allergic to black mold, AND we have an infant. I immediately called the office to have someone come down, and I had no answer. I continued to call for three days, and still no answer.

Then the next day I attempted to go down to the office, and there was a sign saying "out on the property, will be back later", during business hours. The same thing the next day.

I started getting so sick from it, we went to stay with my parents. I continued to call, and get no answer. About two-three weeks ago, I went to my apartment in the morning, and you could see the black mold coming out of my vents, and in the ceiling. I called the office, no answer. So I called the after-hours number. Finally a maintenance man came, and sprayed bleach water on my vents, saying that it would "take care of everything immediately". FINE. THANK YOU. I thought everything was taken care of.

Came back the next morning, and the mold was back. Continued to call the office, and two days later, FINALLY got in touch with someone. She said it would take one day to fix the problem. That all they'd have to do was clean out the vents, and the problem would stop, and that it's happened before. She said that they would put a note on the door, giving the date in which they would be coming down. This was on AUGUST 21ST.

STILL NO NOTE. STILL NOTHING. I've gone down to the office twice since then, and I'm sick of it. My lease is up at the end on this month, and I'm NOT paying rent, because we haven't lived there for 5 weeks! They CONTINUE to neglect the problem! We cannot live there, it is so bad!

So do you think I should just call the health department? I can't deal with the office anymore, I will shoot myself.

sorry it's so long, thanks for any advice!

Answer 1

Yes and while you are at it contact a lawyer!

Answer 2

Ok sweetie, before you freak out and make an assumption that doesn't exist, allow me to educate you a little on black mold.

There is a difference between toxic black mold and mildew and they look IDENTICAL to the naked eye.  Unless you have had a certified mold expert to come out and test the mold spores, you DID NOT HAVE LEGAL GROUNDS to break the lease.

Toxic black mold requires 3 things to grow:  heat, moisture and cellulose..so unless you are prepared to tell me that they insulated the interior of your air vents, which I can tell you now that they didn't, you most likely have mildew and not black mold.

Mildew will ALWAYS come back b/c it's a sign that the ventilation isn't allowed to flow and there is a blockage somewhere, which is most likely a clogged air vent.

I also find it odd that you haven't mentioned a single "symptom" that you have had from living there.

Sorry, but in the end you are going to get sued and evicted...time to stop resorting to self-help measures and educate yourself before you flip out over a situation that most likely does not exist.

True, toxic black mold is very, very rare and if it were present in the air vents, your baby would have already been hospitalized with bleeding in it's lungs.

Answer 3

here's what I would do, I would send them the bill for your hospital bills and a bill for your stay at a motel.  Also, put their money in escrow and refuse to pay rent.  When they try to evict you, bring a statement from the bank and a qualified HVAC contractor who will testify that something needs to be done about the black mold.  Also as you receive the notice to Quit for non payment of rents, contact the city health department and tell them your story.  If they get a judgement that throws you out..which the judge shouldn't do. but if it does happen then hire an attorney to sue the sucker for being so dumb.

Answer 4

Keep in mind, if the health department finds your apartment unlivable, you'll have to find somewhere else to live at your own expense as well as hire an attorney to collect for damages.  I'd recommend moving volunatarily, then calling the health department.