Black Mold, in basement, & mold coming up in holes drilled in floors?
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Thank you very much for your review!! ( home test kit-Pro Lab on Amazon, review) We are renting a home; water in the basement and concentrated humidity caused so much damage. All contents, including insulation on basement ceilings, had to be removed. Landlord/Owner bought this kit-checked in 48 hours; says "no mold growing in basement". I beg to differ. I've been on antibiotics on and off for 3 months. When he checked the initial test, he also placed another at the other end of the basement, 48 hrs ago now. That one is clear, But the first one placed there is now moldy. From what I have read there, 48 hours is not long enough for black mold to grow. So with this first one now moldy, we have worries. Our wooden floors had so many holes drilled into them from the former tenants, just completely outrageous for one home. Well, my husband filled in the holes this weekend. Upon doing so, with moving furniture around, We find that some of our furniture has mold growing on the backs and undersides. Okay, now what? I mentioned getting professionals in here to tackle the problem; he crinkled up his beer can, got into his truck and left. I guess we have to handle this ourselves. but how???
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Go to your local authorities that deal with tennant/landlord issues. Should be able to break lease and move
If in the states or Canada, the law is on your side. Hop over to your local HUD office. Tell them everything. Hire mold remediation specialists. Keep every receipt, log every phone call, take photos and document everything. Hire an attorney to represent you. Not just any attorney, you need an environmental law attorney.
I could go on and on about the health ramifications to people and pets. Hopefully you do not have any small children or pets.
Get out of there before your health is affected anymore. If he gives you trouble, explore your legal options.
You must leave, as the others have said. Do not keep that furniture. And definitely contact the local housing authorities.
Put any rent in escrow account with a bank. Take many photos or a video with very good lighting and a decent camera. Take close up photos, in addition to room photos.
Document everything, by day, date, time, who said what, witnesses, etc.
You will need this to present to an attorney, should you wish to file for damages, security deposit, etc.
Please try to relocate ASAP, mold in these quantities is dangerous to your health.
You also need to document all the mold and damage so that you have proof of a valid reason to break a lease, if you have one. Your landlord is required to provide a habitable residence, and a place infested with mold is most certainly not habitable. Just because it's in the basement, and not the living quarters, does not make it safe.
Consider reporting this residence to your County Health Department.