More on mold and the coverup by insurance

[Guest guest]

I recently sold my condo in Middletown after battling the insurance

company and condo association for two years, due to extensive rot,

water damage, and toxic mold in my unit. I could no longer afford

the rental prices on the island, so I have relocated to Florida. I

have since learned that I will never get homeowner's or renter's

insurance again, due to my claims of water damage which were never

paid. I discovered extensive toxic mold hidden in the wall cavities

of my condo at Whitehall Farm in Nov. 2002, which was blamed on me by

the condo association. They did, however, have the condo members vote

to have their own monthly fees of $200 waived, in return for all the

hard work they do while serving on the board. Now, almost two years

later, I am still in litigation over this matter. What concerns me the

most is that I have learned that there are almost no laws available to

protect the public from the misconduct of condo boards and insurance

companies. Even though I had a 1-inch thick document of condo by-laws,

they were meaningless. Even though I have over 100 color photos of the

mold and rot, the insurance company has the right to wear me down and

let this drag on forever. Providence Washington insurance canceled me

before my house sold because of legitimate water claims. For some

reason, I am to blame for the rot and water in my wall cavities.

Obviously when one buys a condo, one expects to have exterior repairs

made when needed, instead of having to hire an attorney to protect your

health and financial assets and have it drag on for years. I

ultimately had the condo repaired with my own funds, and it tested free

of the mold after my extensive re-mediation, having to rebuild almost

two stories of exterior and conducting expensive and ongoing mold

tests. Also of concern is who or what protects consumers in

situations like this with toxic mold? As a tenant, I would have had

more rights than a condo owner. Isn't there a moral responsibility of

warning other people living in the same area, that there could also be

mold and rot in their wall cavities too, and their health and financial

investments could be also be ravaged? Maybe morals just don't matter

anymore.

Judith Berry

Sarasota, FL