Do I have any legal rights or options if my landlord knowingley left mold in the home I am renting?
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Do I have any legal rights or options if my landlord knowingley left mold in the home I am renting?
About 8 months ago, we discovered a leak in the laundry room of our rented home. My husband moved out the washer and dryer and tried to clean it up as much as he could. The landlord came in and fixed the leak. He was upset that my husband had pulled up the floor. My husband had pulled up the floor because it was already pulling up from the water damage. The floor underneath the linoleum was covered in mold that had to have been there for awhile. Instead of replacing the floor, my landlord left the mold and covered up the mold with a piece of plywood.
Asked on August 29, 2012 under Real Estate Law, North Carolina
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
If the mold actually affects habitability--for example, it affects health or safety, or your ability to sue the area that had mold--then it may be that you are entitled to some monetary compensation and/or could seek a court order forcing the landlord to correct the situation. But if the mold has had no impact or effect on you, then no, you would not have a cause of action; the law only provides compensation or other recourse when there is some injury, cost, damage, or impairment.
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