El Paso Man Comes Home To Thick Black Mold

August 2, 2008

KFOXtv.com - El Paso,TX*

Angeeneh Adamain- KFOX News Reporter

August 1, 2008

EL PASO, Texas -- Murillo lives in the Terrace Park

Apartments in East El Paso. He was out of town on business but never

expected to come home to an apartment filled with mold.

" I just saw the ceiling being black and green and white, covered in

mold and collapsed, " he said.

Three weeks ago, before leaving on his trip, Murillo reported a

leaky roof to the apartment manager. They promised to fix it, but

when he came home, it was obvious what had happened.

" I opened the door and it was a terrible smell, it smelled

disgusting. The ceiling collapsed. There was water everywhere. Mold,

bugs everything. It was in bad condition, " Murillo explained.

When he called the apartment manager he offered him another

apartment in the same building but only after he signed a new lease

and agreed to pay for the more than $3,000 in damages himself.

While Murillo has renters insurance, the insurance company told him

he cannot file a claim because all the mold is a result of the

apartment manager's negligence.

" I'm still legally bound to this apartment. Rent is due, obviously,

at the beginning of the month. I have to pay technically for next

month's rent in this apartment. I really don't have another choice, "

he said.

If you suspect mold in your home or apartment, call the

Environmental Services at 774-4500. KFOX called the manager of the

Terrace Park Apartments and never got a response.

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