“The key to mold control is moisture control.”
-U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1
According to Ron Leshnower “a top environmental hazard, mold thrives in warm, damp places, and often grows with ventilation and humidity problems. Although mold is often associated with buildings in wet climates, no rental property is immune from a mold outbreak.”2
“Every landlord should take mold seriously.”2
Avoid the costly cleanup bills associated with mold cleanup, remediation, and lawsuits. The Landlords Response to Mold, by Reid C. Wilson states that “mold cannot be stopped unless the moisture is stopped.”3 Weather conditions combined with occupant behavior can widely impact the amount of moisture in the air. Landlords can enforce certain rules such as no pet or no-smoking policies but controlling the amount of moisture produced is not as tangible.
Moisture Generated Daily
Are tenants opening windows?
Are tenants running the air conditioning?
Are tenants hanging clothes to dry inside?
Are tenants cleaning up spills?
Are tenants boiling pots of water all day long?
Truth is, it’s hard to know how much moisture is produced, and even harder to control.
Property owners should plan for “worst-case scenario” housekeeping with occupants in low-income and Section 8 housing. The Landlord’s Response to Mold explains, “there is nothing worse than a tenant thinking that a landlord is taking a cavalier or uncaring attitude regarding mold exposure. Mold is an issue which can provoke emotional responses, as there is currently no clear scientific or medical standard for exposure, or resulting harm.”3
“Control moisture in the air. Moisture control is the key to mold control. Mold spores cannot grow without water.”
-Lee, H.J. and Peart, V., Basic Mold Prevention
What can you Do?
Moisture removal to lower high humidity indoors with a dehumidifier.
It’s that simple.
As stated in the University of Florida’s article Basic Mold Prevention, “Mold spores are so small that they are invisible to the naked eye. They exist almost everywhere, in indoor and outdoor air. It is not really possible to eliminate mold spores. Instead, we can prevent indoor mold growth by controlling moisture in the air.”4
SOURCES:
- EPA: United States Environmental Protection Agency, Mold <https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-course-chapter-2>
- Ron Leshnower 2021, Nolo, accessed October 2021,
<https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/north-carolina-rules-regarding-mold-rental-properties.html> - Reid C. Wilson 2003, Wilson Cribbs + Goren, accessed October 2021, <https://wcglaw.com/sites/default/files/publications/landlord-mold.pdf>
- Lee, H-J and Peart V. (January 2007). Basic Mold Prevention University of Florida IFAS Extension, 2007.
