What if there's mold in a rent house?

Question

My best friend's house burned over 5 months ago. While they are re-building, their insurance company is paying for them to stay in a rent house. About a month after they moved in, her 2 year old got sick and has been ever since. He has been on antibiotics, cough meds, now breathing treatments,etc. We began worrying if it was mold in the house so she moved herself and the boys into her parents house (her husband is still there) and in 2 weeks her baby was better. She would like to know if there was mold in the house or maybe something else in there that he was allergic to, but looked into it and to have it tested is going to cost them a lot of money. And since they are only renting it for another month or so, why should they pay for it? But the landlord refuses to pay to have it tested. What about future renters of this house? Should they just have to get sick, too? Is the landlord under any legal obligation to test for it?

My friend does not want ANY legal compensation, she just wants to know if mold is what has caused her son to be sick the last several months. Any ideas?

Answer 1

The doctor ought to be able to tell what kind of things made them sick.  If they suspect that it is something in the house I would not move back into the house.  I bet the landlord would be willing to cancel the lease.

If it is something that strong (mold, out-gassing of carpet or paneling, cat hair allergens, or several other possible things) in the house it will happen again to another occupant and the landlord will realize it and fix it.

I had a lady that got sick in my house about 15 years ago and thought it was something in the house that made her sick.  But no one else has ever had a problem- None of my family or any other guests.

There is actually mold in every house, especially houses that have central air conditioning.  A lot of people are afraid if they allow someone to test their house they will be forced to spend thousands of dollars on fraudulent remediation.  This sort of problem has been used as sitcom themes several times over the last few years.

So I am not surprised by the landlords reaction.

Answer 2

Call the Department of Health and Human Services.  My friend had the same problem and she didn't end up having to pay for an insepctor to come.  Even still, you're better safe than sorry.

Answer 3

Can't have it both ways. . . .she has NO proof, no indications at all. . . children often have respiratory infections which clear up eventually--the move may have had nothing to do with it

Need proof of mold infestation

Dr.'s note and monitoring/testing---she has NOTHING

Suggest she get herself a mask and scrub the entire place with bleachwater to kill mold and spores;  spend lots of effort on bathrooms, kitchen and basement

It's her child, her responsibility. . . .so she should clean and she should pay for testing, unless there's evidence otherwise, and as her best friend, you should offer to help her clean it

Answer 4

Take the child to an immunologist to get tested for sensitivity to that allergen.