What Boulder renters should know about a potential problem
Make sure you’re not getting into a moldy situation when pre-leasing for fall. The black fuzzy fungus, otherwise known as mold, is something to watch out for when renting. If you do find mold you can discuss the topic of mold remediation with the landlord.
Not only is mold unsightly, but also it is harmful to our health. Mold spores become harmful when inhaled and can lead to nasal congestion, eye irritation and wheezing or skin irritation. Even memory loss can occur if you are exposed to mold for a long period of time.
Mold is common in boulder. Joe Boatman with Quality Environmental Services said he does at least five to ten inspections for mold every week in Boulder. If a rental property is infested with mold it could take a long time to get rid of. Hence, as soon as you discover mold growth in your property, a mold removal or mold remediation service should be contacted at once.
“There are a lot of mold problems and it can result in a couple of days to a couple of weeks of clean up,” Boatman said.
If renting a property that is infested with mold, the renter is not responsible for the mold clean up. When renting a house or an apartment in Boulder, contamination of mold is considered a breach of the lease. Maria Massaro, a real estate attorney, said it is considered constructive eviction.
“The contract with a landlord is considered breach, because you cannot live in a harmful environment,” Massaro said.
According to state law, the landlord is responsible for ensuring proper living conditions. This includes making sure the premises do not have any kind of mold contamination.
Delia Burnett, a junior art history major, is not worried about mold. It is something she never really thinks about.
“I do not really worry about mold because I’m a short term renter,” Burnett said.
Steve Henry, a senior English major, recognizes mold more on his food rather than places in his house.
“The other day I was eating a sandwich and I bit into it, it tasted bad so I looked at the sandwich. The curst was black and moldy, so I cut off the curst and continued eating,” Henry said.
Although Henry is only looking for mold on his sandwich, he should be looking for it in warm and damp places in his house, as should the rest of perspective Boulder renters.
Contact Campus Press staff writer Ilana Guttenberg at Ilana.Guttenberg@theCampusPress.com
