Bill to force landlords clean up mold

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Bill to force landlords clean up mold

Wednesday, April 16th 2008

New York Daily News - New York,NY*

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/04/16/2008-04-

16_bill_to_force_landlords_clean_up_mold.html

Landlords would be required to clean up moldy apartments if their

tenants have asthma or other breathing problems, under legislation

set to be introduced Wednesday in the City Council.

The bill, co-sponsored by Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum and

Councilwoman Rosie Mendez (D-Manhattan), would set a standard level

at which landlords would be forced to get rid of mold, which can

make people with allergies and other conditions get sicker.

Mold complaints to the Department of Housing Preservation and

Development increased from 8,288 in 2001 to 21,121 in 2006, Gotbaum

said.

While the housing code requires landlords to keep their properties

in good repair, that standard is vague and inconsistently enforced

by city agencies, she contends.

" If we're concerned about the health of New Yorkers, it's important

that we do something about it, " Gotbaum said.

Jill de Domenico, 26, says the bill would help her breathe easier.

She said her landlord insists that painting and plastering over

water stains on the ceiling, walls and floorboards of her Harlem

apartment is enough.

The management company, Manhattan North, has done nothing to rid it

of mold, she said.

" It's affecting my health, " de Domenico added, saying she suffers

from seasonal allergies and has developed bronchial asthma and other

infections since water began leaking into the apartment two years

ago.

" I know that has to do with the apartment, " she said.

Her building, 1890 Adam Clayton Blvd., was found to

have " higher than normal amounts " of mold spores in the air,

including strains of penicillium/aspergillus, according to a report

by an air-testing company she hired to inspect in February. De

Domenico said she is allergic to penicillin.

The report, obtained by the Daily News, recommends sealing the

floors with polyurethane and removing sections of the walls and

ceiling to professionally rid them of mold.

It suggests that de Domenico move until the problem is fixed.

An attorney for the building's owner would not comment specifically

on de Domenico's apartment, though he did say, " The owners have

already performed and are continuing to perform substantial work to

remediate the building violations. "

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