Mold: Landlords blame tenants, experts blame shoddy construction

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October 2, 2005

Mold: Landlords blame tenants, experts blame shoddy construction

By SARAH LEMON

Medford,OR

http://www.mailtribune.com/archive/2005/1002/local/stories/04local.ht

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The battle over mold increasingly is pitting landlords against

tenants.

Mold often is indicative of shoddy construction, experts say. But

more landlords are looking to pass the buck on mold to tenants, said

Ken Dobson, a Portland attorney specializing in mold complaints.

Mold addenda to rental agreements are becoming more common, Dobson

said. These clauses require tenants to perform many bizarre tasks to

prevent mold, including opening windows for two hours a week, even

in the middle of winter, Dobson said.

" The landlords will try to blame the tenants for the mold problems, "

he said.

While Oregon law doesn't address mold specifically, Dobson said

keeping a dwelling free of mold falls under the landlord-tenant law

stating landlords must provide " effective waterproofing and

weatherproofing of the roof and exterior walls, including windows

and doors, " in addition to general language on keeping a rental in a

safe and habitable condition.

Landlords and mold addenda usually instruct tenants to wipe away

visible mold with bleach. Yet if a building's inhabitants already

are suffering from respiratory problems, spraying cleaning solutions

makes the problem worse by stirring up mold, which becomes airborne,

Dobson said.

Although tenants' living habits certainly can contribute to a mold

problem, landlords need to take complaints seriously and look below

the surface, experts say. While the city of Medford has no ordinance

concerning mold for residences, the presence of fungus alerts

building inspectors to other potential problems, said Hugh Fechtler,

city building inspector.

Mold complaints are not the county's responsibility either, said

s, head of Environmental Health Services for

County. However, health workers tell people to leave a mold-

affected area if they have allergies and also refer them to

industrial cleaning companies.

The county health department gets about one call per day about mold,

particularly in the summertime when warm temperatures allow mold to

grow more rapidly, s said.

" Mold is really a tough one, " s said. " I wish we had a dollar

for every hour we've spent on mold. "

Reach reporter Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail

slemon@....

10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MOLD

Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures

include allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory complaints.

There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in

an indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to

control moisture.

If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the

mold and eliminate sources of moisture.

Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.

Reduce indoor humidity (to 30 to 60 percent) to decrease mold growth

by: venting bathrooms, dryers and other moisture-generating sources

to the outside; using air conditioners and de- humidifiers;

increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking,

dish washing and cleaning.

Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings

within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth.

Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent and dry

completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles that are moldy

may need to be replaced.

Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e.

windows, pipes, exterior walls, roof, floors) by adding insulation.

In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install

carpeting (i.e. by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on

concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).

Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any

substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can

grow on wood, paper, carpet and foods.

— Source: www.epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html