Hey everyone! I'm a homeowner renting out my townhome to three people. One of my tenants has been persistently saying there's mold in the house. I previously hired a company to clean the air ducts and sanitize thoroughly with EPA-approved solutions. However, after that, this tenant had a mold inspection done, and the report stated that mold is present everywhere, including in the HVAC system, sheetrock, first-floor windows, and even the air itself.
Their findings specified an active growth of CLADOSPORIUM and PENICILLIUM/ASPERGILLUS, but the moisture levels were declared acceptable. I'm not sure how to handle this situation, so I'd appreciate any advice on what steps I should take next. Thanks!
3 Answers
To be fair, mold companies often exaggerate their findings since they want to sell remediation services. I’d recommend getting a general contractor who specializes in water damage—not a mold remediation company—to assess your home. If they say there’s no issue, you can confidently inform your tenant and offer them a chance to leave if they’re still concerned.
Most homes will have some level of mold, so your tenant might be overreacting. If the place isn’t visibly damaged or damp, and you’ve kept humidity in check, it sounds like the landlord side is all clear. You could offer your tenant a chance to terminate the lease if they’re still unhappy. Your home is within normal moisture levels, after all!
Honestly, mold is pretty much everywhere, so finding some in air tests isn't surprising. Unless there's visible mold or a musty odor, you might not have much to worry about. I'd suggest asking for the actual mold counts from the test since concentration matters more than just finding spores everywhere.