One issue that can catch property owners and tenants off guard is the growth of mold in the property. Because it starts slowly and spreads gradually, usually inside walls or hidden within other structures, specific molds can seemingly go from invisible to a serious health hazard in an instant.
There are many different mold types, but the toxic variety is known as Black Mold or Stachybotrys atra. Often appearing as slimy greenish-black or gray, toxic mold thrives in damp sections in the home, including leaky roofs, windows, or pipes, or even under floors and in ceilings if a flood or leak occurs. Black Mold gives off an unpleasant musty odor and, when present, can severely impede your ability to guarantee the safety of a rental property. It is important to recognize that Stachybotrys molds are not always black, meaning molds of varying colors could also be hazardous. In other words, there’s no way to tell just by viewing whether you’re dealing with toxic or harmless mold.
While mold is usually very common in moist indoor environments, Stachybotrys is less common than other mold species, including Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) don’t have statistics about the frequency of Stachybotrys molds being found in buildings, but it’s less common than ostentatious media reports would want to admit.
Health Hazards
The presence of toxic mold is a serious health concern. The CDC data link the presence of mold in the property and serious health effects, including respiratory problems (coughing or wheezing, throat irritation, nasal stuffiness), eye irritation, or skin irritation. Persons with allergies, asthma or lung disease may be even more severely affected, leading to serious lung infections or other life-threatening conditions.
Property Damage
Because of the danger raised by toxic mold, it’s important to get a hold of an outbreak as promptly as possible. As a landlord, you can be held responsible if you have knowledge of the mold’s presence in a rental home but fail to take the proper steps to correct it.
Besides legal liability, toxic mold can cause severe destruction to a rental home if left unchecked. Mold develops well wherever a regular supply of moisture is present. It can grow on wallpaper, cardboard, ceiling tiles, carpet, and upholstery. It can also grow on wooden objects, including the wood inside walls and floors, on insulation, and even on drywall and paint. With so much at stake in your rental properties, it’s essential to do consistent maintenance that involves good mold prevention strategies.
Call the Experts
Oddly enough, a number of property management companies don’t consider mold a serious issue. They might try to avoid expenses by ignoring water damage or telling residents to deal with it themselves, but mold should never be handled lightly and risking the health of your tenants never a good idea. The serious nature of the damages from ignoring mold makes it a job for a company that will work to protect you and your tenants from unwelcome consequences.
In Conclusion
At Real Property Management One, we understand the risks that unrestrained growths of mold present to rental property owners. Our team of service professionals and expert property managers in Mountain House will tackle the issue early and correct it, thereby saving you both time and money. Would you like a free assessment of your rental property? Please contact us online or call us at 925-794-8339 for further information.