Rental- owner response time?

[Virginia]

DH and I have lived in an apartment for the past four years. We just moved into our first rental home last month. In the apartment complex, maintenance responded to issues immediately, and I think we got spoiled.

Since moving into this house, we've had a number of issues... a hole in the floor, doors that didn't shut, a fridge whose water doesn't work, a leaking toilet, etc. DH and I are not handy, so I have been contacting the professional agent about these issues. After about three weeks of emailing her several times a week, the issues listed above got fixed. Well, not the fridge- their handyman wasn't able to fix that.


My latest issue is that I just went in DH's bathroom and the ceiling has black spots (I assume mold) all over it! He has allergies and I'm pregnant and I really want that taken care of ASAP because it's a health issue. I took pictures and emailed them to the agent just now. ETA: The mold was definitely NOT there when we moved in. My mom and I went around the house and checked b/c she warned me about mold.

What's a reasonable amount of time for me to expect these items to be addressed? Are my expectations of within a week too high? Like...at least get back to me with an appointment set up within a week? Is that too quick of a turnaround time?

I'm really not happy with this house and all the issues we've been having with it. I was so excited to move and sometimes, with the extra money we're paying, I almost wish we'd just stayed in the apartment one more year

[Soliloquy]

They should respond to you within 1 business day for non-emergencies and they should give you an emergency number in case a pipe bursts in the middle of the night.

What's above the bathroom ceiling? The attic/roof? Another bathroom? My guess is that something above it is leaking. I'd also venture to guess it was that way before you moved in and they painted over it.

I'd look up tenant advocacy for your state. You might have some rights regarding mold in a leased rental.

[Virginia]

Originally Posted by Soliloquy

They should respond to you within 1 business day for non-emergencies and they should give you an emergency number in case a pipe bursts in the middle of the night.

What's above the bathroom ceiling? The attic/roof? Another bathroom? My guess is that something above it is leaking. I'd also venture to guess it was that way before you moved in and they painted over it.

I'd look up tenant advocacy for your state. You might have some rights regarding mold in a leased rental.

Thank you. This is very helpful
I found this after looking up tenant advocacy:

The requirement of a written notice of repairs can also be met by calling your local housing
inspector and having them inspect the premises. The inspector will then send a notice to the
landlord and a copy to you listing the repairs that need to be made and a time frame to make
them.

I have the agent's number and the owner's number (cell phones).

[houseforjoy]

mold in a bathroom is almost always going to come back. it means there isn't good ventilation. does your dh run the fan all during and for awhile after his shower? that might be the only way to keep it from coming back, but even then there is a good chance it will come back.

all the landlord can really do in that situation is bleach the mold stains, and maybe paint a mold blocker paint, and have you run the fan but if it is in the walls... then

[Soliloquy]

It can be abated even if it's in the drywall. If something is dripping water above the bathroom it needs to be fixed before there's a structural problem.

If you aren't running the exhaust fan while showering, and the walls are painted with gloss or semi-gloss, it should scrub off easily. (If they used flat paint in a bathroom they're foolish.) The exhaust fan may need to be cleaned, too. We always leave the door open while showering because I'm mold-phobic.

[houseforjoy]

Originally Posted by Soliloquy

It can be abated even if it's in the drywall. If something is dripping water above the bathroom it needs to be fixed before there's a structural problem.

If you aren't running the exhaust fan while showering, and the walls are painted with gloss or semi-gloss, it should scrub off easily. (If they used flat paint in a bathroom they're foolish.) The exhaust fan may need to be cleaned, too. We always leave the door open while showering because I'm mold-phobic.

i spun this if you don't mind sharing

http://www.gentlechristianmothers.co...33#post5939833

[Virginia]

Originally Posted by houseforjoy

mold in a bathroom is almost always going to come back. it means there isn't good ventilation. does your dh run the fan all during and for awhile after his shower? that might be the only way to keep it from coming back, but even then there is a good chance it will come back.

all the landlord can really do in that situation is bleach the mold stains, and maybe paint a mold blocker paint, and have you run the fan but if it is in the walls... then

I don't know if he runs the fan. I think he does, but I'll remind him to keep doing so. It's discouraging to think the mold will keep coming back.

Originally Posted by Soliloquy

It can be abated even if it's in the drywall. If something is dripping water above the bathroom it needs to be fixed before there's a structural problem.

If you aren't running the exhaust fan while showering, and the walls are painted with gloss or semi-gloss, it should scrub off easily. (If they used flat paint in a bathroom they're foolish.) The exhaust fan may need to be cleaned, too. We always leave the door open while showering because I'm mold-phobic.

The ceilings are super high and vaulted, so I'm not able to access the ceiling to scrub it off or to clean the fan. There's also a skylight in the ceiling. I wonder if there's some sort of leaking going on...? I want a professional to come look at it, regardless. I don't think that's asking too much.

[Soliloquy]

Skylights are notorious for leaking.

[ECingMama]

If he's not running the fan or leaving the door open, you are liable.

It was $25 for a new fan motor in our rental. Plus install. Fans can sound like they are working. Does it actually work?

Time to buy a house!!!!

[Virginia]

Originally Posted by ECingMama

If he's not running the fan or leaving the door open, you are liable.

It was $25 for a new fan motor in our rental. Plus install. Fans can sound like they are working. Does it actually work?

Time to buy a house!!!!

I checked with him. He has been running the fan every time he showers That's what I figured b/c that's what he did at our old apartment.

I told him today to also leave the door open.

How do I know if the fan is working? We have high ceilings, and I don't have a ladder.

I KNOW, it is time to buy a house! Or at least a new condo or townhouse; I'd be happy with that! How do I save for BOTH a baby AND a down payment, though?! That's the questions

[Soliloquy]

When the maintenance person comes to look at the mold, ask him to clean the exhaust fan and duct. Maybe mention it beforehand so he brings the long thingy to clean the duct. It's to their advantage to stop the cause of the mold.

[Virginia]

Thanks, Lisa! I will make sure to do that.

[Virginia]

The owner's roof guy is coming to check the skylight and roof. I specifically asked in an email, "Is he able to do mold removal and testing, too?" No response yet.

[Virginia]

Agent came today and cleaned part of the ceiling with some Tilex. Her words: "Ninety-nine percent of mold isn't dangerous. Not trying to downplay the mold, but I don't want you to worry." My response: "I'm pregnant, so I'm hypervigilant about health and safety. I still want it checked out."

Roofer is coming Tuesday.

There's also brown liquid streaks dripping down the wall. Agent said that's due to drywall not being sealed. We had this issue at a previous apartment. While the brown stuff wipes off easily, it's annoying and gross looking.

Am I unreasonable for requesting that the mold be looked at by a professional...? DH also has asthma and allergies, so I feel like mold probably isn't good for him either. If I'm being unreasonable and paranoid, I'll back off of our agent a bit...

[esperanza]

Well, I don't know the legalities, but I am with you about wanting it to get it looked at by a professional. I have heard too many horror stories of mold that caused serious health problems. I'd keep pushing. I'm sure they don't want to do it because it will cost them money, but that's part of having a rental property.