Landlord Tenant Mould Considerations for the Real Estate Rental Property

One call that you don't want to get from a tenant is a complaint about mould. However, don't bury your head in the sand when it happens; take action now and avoid headaches later.

The science on mould infestations and the associated health dangers is somewhat vague, with various experts coming to different conclusions about the risk which mould poses to tenants. However, what we do know is that mould places landlords at risk of litigation.

So mould concerns have created some work for lawyers. They've also created work for environmental services companies, and that's whom you need to contact when a tenant calls you about a mould concern.

An Air Quality Specialist will run tests inside and outside of the home to determine if there are any health risks present. A comparison is done on the quantity and quality of airborne particles in both locations. The results of these tests will show the landlord and tenant if there is a health risk and also the level of remediation, if any, that may be required.

It's worth reinforcing that there is no firm scientific consensus explaining mould hazards, and landlords know that the laws across the country tend to be geared towards protecting the rights of the tenant, not the rights of the landlord. In an area where there are many shades of gray around interpretation, it's important for the landlord to show the tenant that he is taking the complaint seriously, that he's testing air quality based on environmental guidelines, and that he's fixing the problem in a timely manner.

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