What are our rights if our rental has mold?

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What are our rights if our rental has mold?

My husband and I are renting a home on a month-to-month basis. We have only been in this home for about 4 months and after the first month we noticed black mold growing throughout the house. In one room the floor is constantly wet. We also have reason to believe that the landlord has filed bankruptcy. Is it illegal to rent this house with these conditions and is it illegal to rent a house after you have already filed bankruptcy? My husband and I need to move ASAP but it is hard finding a new place at this time.

Asked on February 5, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Michigan

Answers:

S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

In every lease there is an implied warranty of habitability which requires the landlord to maintain the premises in a habitable condition by complying with local and state housing codes.  The mold is a health hazard and would constitute a breach of the implied warranty of habitability.  When there is a breach of the implied warranty of habitability, the tenant notifies the landlord and the landlord is required to respond within a reasonable time by making the necessary repairs.  If the landlord fails to respond within a reasonable time, the tenant has the following remedies:  The tenant can make the repairs and deduct the cost from the rent or the tenant can move out and terminate the obligation to pay rent for the balance of the term of the lease or if the tenant stays on the premises, the tenant can withhold rent and defend against eviction.  Another alternative is to sue the landlord for breach of the implied warranty of habitability.

As for your question about whether it is illegal to rent the place in that condition with the mold, this would violate the housing code and it would be advisable to contact the code inspectors who will take legal action against the landlord.

As for your question about the impact of the bankruptcy, the landlord may have reaffirmed the debt which means agreeing to continue making payments on the mortgage.  If that is what occurred, then renting out the place would not be an issue.  It is also possible that the bankruptcy trustee may have authorized the landlord to continue generating income with that rental property. 


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

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