How To Handle Mold In A Rental Property

We are lucky in West Central Florida to have an amazing climate that allows us to enjoy the outdoors—and even the beaches—throughout the year. Yet our subtropical climate can also cause problems with mold and mildew. Mold can grow on almost any organic surface if moisture is present, which can be an issue in an extremely humid environment.

When mold is inside a home, it is considered an environmental hazard that can cause health problems. While Florida law does not specifically address mold in rental properties, it does require landlords to maintain their properties in a habitable condition. If a tenant did not cause the mold problem, you will be responsible for remediating and removing the mold.

At Eaton Realty, we provide real estate services to clients throughout Hillsborough County. Our property management services include helping to address maintenance issues - like a leaky pipe - that can often lead to far more serious and expensive problems. To learn more about our property management services, reach out to talk to a member of our team today.

Avoid Dealing With Issues Like Mold On Your Own. Speak With An Experienced Hillsborough County Property Manager › 813-672-8022

What Causes Mold?

Mold can grow on any organic material, including wood, carpet, insulation, food, and carpet. It just needs two things to thrive: moisture and oxygen.

As it grows, molds will eat whatever it is growing on - such as wood. If it isn’t treated, it can cause structural damage to buildings. While you can’t eliminate all mold or mold spores, keeping indoor moisture levels under control can help to reduce the growth of indoor mold.

Moisture problems in a house can arise in a number of ways. In some cases, a building isn’t properly designed for the climate, location, and use - which can lead to moisture problems (such as in situations where a building does not have adequate ventilation). In other cases, mold grows due to maintenance problems, where a moisture issue isn’t discovered or addressed and mold grows as a result.

Mold commonly grows due to moisture problems such as leaking roofs, pipes that leak or have condensation on them (especially inside of walls), gutters or landscaping that direct water towards or under a building, and unvented combustion appliances. It can also be caused by high humidity within a building. Ideally, humidity should be kept between 30 and 50%, as anything above 60% can cause mold. Running a humidifier or even using a stove or dryer can increase the house's humidity.

In Florida, mold can also grow from water damage from hurricanes, tropical storms, and associated flooding. If wet materials aren’t removed or properly remediated, the house may grow mold and suffer from structural integrity problems.

Why Is Mold a Problem?

When mold grows in an indoor environment, it can cause health issues. Molds produce irritants, allergens, and in some situations, mycotoxins (toxic substances). Inhaling or even touching mold or mold spores can cause a variety of health problems, such as:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Red eyes
• Skin rashes
• Asthma attacks
• Wheezing
• Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath
• Dry cough and chest tightness
• Headache
• Fatigue

The more times that a person is exposed to mold, the worse their symptoms will likely become. That is why it is so important to address mold issues inside a rental property as soon as possible.

Of course, mold can also cause structural damage. As noted above, mold eats whatever substance it is on - such as the framing in your house. If you let a mold problem go unchecked, you may find that you have a much bigger problem, such as rotting lumber in your house’s walls. If you notice any type of moisture problem in one of your rental properties - or if you are informed about mold - then you should address it immediately to prevent both health problems for your tenants and structural problems with your rental property.

A Landlord’s Responsibility to Handle Mold in a Rental Property

Most states - including Florida - don’t have a specific law that governs how landlords should address mold. However, Florida’s landlord-tenant laws do require landlords to provide a habitable property. This is often referred to as the implied warranty of habitability.

In short, “habitability” means that a landlord must provide a livable, safe rental property equipped with basic essentials. A rental property must have utilities like running hot and cold water, electricity, and heating. It should also have functioning door locks and working windows.

A rental property must also comply with local building codes and health and safety regulations. It must be structurally safe and free of chemical or other hazards. Landlords also have a general obligation to maintain the property.

Under the implied warranty of habitability, a landlord is obligated to address mold in a rental property. Simply put, toxic mold within a home may make it inhabitable - and it can risk the tenants’ health. A tenant may be able to withhold rent, break the lease, and/or even sue you for damages if you fail to fix a toxic mold problem within their home.

There may be an exception for situations where a tenant causes a mold problem, such as by spilling water and not cleaning it up, failing to run bathroom exhaust fans, having excessive plants in the home, or not properly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, especially moisture-prone areas like showers.

However, whether the mold problem was caused by your own failure to fix an issue like a leaky pipe or the tenant’s negligence, you should still take steps to remediate the mold. Remember: mold eats away wood and other materials as it grows. If you don’t address a mold problem, you may end up with a much larger - and more expensive - issue.

It isn’t entirely clear whether a tenant could successfully seek financial compensation caused by exposure to mold. Responding promptly to tenant complaints about moisture or mold issues can help protect you in the event of a lawsuit. You may also consider putting a clause in your lease that requires tenants to notify you immediately - in writing - of any water or mold problem within their unit.

Of course, the best way to prevent mold is by being proactive. Your property manager can schedule routine roof, plumbing, and windows maintenance and inspections. They can also respond immediately to any tenant maintenance requests. Taking care of problems like a bathroom exhaust fan that isn’t working properly can help you avoid or minimize more costly mold infestations.

How To Safely Remove Mold From A Property

If you’ve discovered mold on your property, the best course of action would be to call a professional mold remediation company to ensure the mold is appropriately dealt with. Failing to remove mold properly could leave your property susceptible to further damage or negatively impact the health of your tenants. If you decide to try to remove the mold on your own, you can take the steps outlined below.

Identify the Source of Moisture

Mold thrives in damp environments, so it's critical to identify the source of moisture. Check for leaks in plumbing, roofs, or windows and areas of high humidity or condensation. Fixing these issues will prevent mold from returning after removal.

Assess the Extent of Mold

Evaluate the severity of the mold infestation. You can likely handle small, localized mold growth yourself. However, consider hiring a professional remediation service to ensure safety and effectiveness for large-scale infestations or mold in HVAC systems.

Gather Necessary Supplies

There are a few supplies you’ll need before starting the removal process. Make sure to collect the following items before beginning:

• Protective gear: gloves, goggles, and an N95 respirator to protect against mold spores.
• Cleaning tools: scrub brushes, sponges, and disposable rags.
• Cleaning agents: choose from commercial mold removers, white vinegar, or a bleach solution (1 cup of bleach per gallon of water).

Prepare the Area

Seal off the affected area with plastic sheeting to prevent mold spores from spreading to other parts of the house. Open windows or use fans that exhaust outdoors to ensure proper ventilation during the cleaning process.

Remove and Dispose of Contaminated Materials

Porous materials like drywall, carpets, and insulation can absorb mold deeply and may need to be removed and discarded. Place these materials in sealed plastic bags before disposing of them to prevent the spread of mold spores.

Clean Non-Porous Surfaces

For hard surfaces such as tile, metal, and glass, scrub the affected areas with a cleaning solution. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and ensure the surfaces are completely dry. Non-porous materials are less likely to harbor lingering mold if cleaned properly.

Treat Stained Areas

After cleaning, some surfaces may still show discoloration. Apply a mold stain remover or a mold-resistant primer to cover stains and prevent regrowth.

Vacuum the Area

Use a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter to remove any remaining mold spores from the area. Afterward, empty the vacuum canister into a sealed bag and clean the filter to avoid re-contamination.

How To Prevent Future Mold Growth

After mold has been removed, you’ll want to take preventative measures to reduce the risk of future mold growth. There are several different actions you can take to prevent mold from growing back.

Control The Humidity

High humidity levels encourage mold growth. Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to maintain indoor humidity levels below 50%. You can also use a hygrometer to monitor the property's humidity levels. These hygrometers can be placed in the property and remotely send updates to your phone.

Improve Ventilation

Proper ventilation is key to preventing mold. Install exhaust fans in areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. Additionally, open windows or use fans to improve airflow and reduce dampness.

Monitor for Recurrence

When performing routine property inspections, inspect areas susceptible to mold, such as basements, attics, and bathrooms. Promptly address any leaks or damp conditions. Using mold-resistant paint and materials in vulnerable areas can provide an extra layer of protection.

Maintain Regular Cleaning

Keep surfaces in mold-prone areas clean and dry. Instruct tenants to use cleaning products that contain mold inhibitors for bathrooms, kitchens, and other high-humidity spaces.

Prevent Mold With Proactive Property Management

Having an investment property can be a smart way to build your financial future. However, it can also be a lot of work - particularly when it comes to making sure that your properties are well maintained. A skilled property manager can handle your rental properties for you, including screening tenants to find a good fit and handling maintenance requests and routine maintenance.

Based in Lithia, Florida, Eaton Realty works with landlords and investors throughout the Eastern Tampa area. We have decades of experience in real estate, which includes representing buyers and sellers in real estate transactions and managing properties for landlords. We take a proactive approach to property management, sticking to the old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

To learn more about our property management services, fill out our online contact form or call our office at 813-672-8022.