Preventing Mold Related Claims and Lawsuits

Mold can be a problem that creeps up on your property slowly. Early detection of mold, however, can prevent major problems for you and your tenants. This is what you need to know to prevent mold issues in your rentals.

• Have an annual mold inspection done on your property by a professional. Having this done by a professional inspector reduces your liability by helping locate any problems before they become major or verifying that there are no existing problems.



• In between visits from the professional inspector, look for signs of water damage. Look for stains around windows and doors, check all walls, ceilings and floors for signs of moisture damage and pay close attention to high moisture areas such as bathrooms.



• Look for signs of poor ventilation, which can allow condensation to form, leading to mold issues. All bathrooms and kitchens should either have a window or a working exhaust fan. Check windows or glass doors for condensation, especially in the winter months.



• Look for moisture under stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers and washing machines. Also, inspect under all sinks for leaks or moisture buildup.



• When you have a mold problem, you will be able to smell it. A musty smell indicates a problem and could be due to a dirty HVAC filter, a previous leak or a source of moisture buildup that you cannot see such as a leaking pipe behind a wall. If you smell mustiness around your property and suspect mold or unseen problems, call a professional for a mold inspection immediately.