Video Mold cover-up exposed

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Team 2: Mold cover-up exposed

KATU Portland

http://www.katu.com/news/local/7640807.html

More information for tenants who have mold problems

Mold removal begins following KATU report

Team 2 Investigates: Moldy apartments

Story Published: May 22, 2007 at 11:50 PM PDT

Story Updated: May 23, 2007 at 11:21 AM PDT

By Thom Jensen and KATU Web Staff

Video PORTLAND, Ore. - A Team 2 investigation into mold has ignited

a frenzy of responses from people saying they too are plagued with

the problem.

KATU News visited homes and apartments, finding tenants literally

sick of mold. From Portland to Vancouver to St. Helens, we heard

similar stories and heard reports of similar symptoms.

So what does the law say about mold? According to Chapter 90 of the

Oregon Revised Statutes, " ...a landlord shall at all times...

maintain the dwelling unit in a habitable condition... "

The revised statutes do not directly address mold, but Portland

Property Maintenance Code does. Under Title 29 of the code, the

rental should be " ...maintained reasonably free of dampness to

prevent mold. "

However, all of the apartments and homes KATU News visited had

issues with dampness and evidence of mold.

Even in a 55+ apartment complex in King City where the rent is more

than $1,000 a month, mold was everywhere in one apartment. Tests

showed high concentrations of mold in Ginny Kuchta's bathroom and

even higher levels in her bedroom.

When we asked her what the landlord's response was, she

said " nothing. " " If I had not hired the moisture inspectors, there

still would not be anything done, " she said.

KATU News went looking for her landlord, Mike McKenna, at his Lake

Oswego home, but he was not willing to talk. However, after we

pressed him, he eventually came out and told us there is no problem

at King City Apartments, where Kuchta lives.

" There is one lady who had a bathroom leak and didn't report it, "

McKenna said. " We fixed it. Everything's fine there. "

Kuchta's apartment now looks safe and smells mold-free thanks to air

filtration systems placed around the unit, but photos of recent work

done on the building show just how bad the mold was and Kuchta says

dark areas forming around her shower show the mold is coming back

with a vengeance.

" It's a constant battle of trying to stay ahead of the game, " she

said.

The Portland Metro Rental Association says it recommends all of its

landlords repair all verified mold problems thoroughly.

" What I tell landlords in both my business and as Association

President is you need to take care of your property, " said Mark

Passannante. " Be aware of it. It is your property. Somebody is

living there, but it is also your property and your responsibility. "

With more than 1,500 complaints a year, the Portland City Council is

now considering beefing up its laws to protect tenants from mold.

" We basically think we do need some stronger enforcement because the

fines aren't enough, " said City Commissioner Sten. " There is an

epidemic of asthma with children right now and we know that mold is

part of it.