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5. The building owner or manager should avoid hiding or camouflaging mold problems by deceptions such as painting over mold growth; concealing mold growth behind stored items, furniture, furnishings, and decorations; and masking distinctive smell of mold growth with air fresheners and deodorizers. The smell of mold is from digestive gases of mold eating building materials.
6. A prospective tenant should inspect and mold test proposed rental unit (prior to signing of a rental lease) with a Certified Mold Inspector, or by using a do-it-yourself mold inspection checklist, his sense of smell, a good flashlight, and mold test kits to determine mold status of rental unit.
7. In doing such inspection and testing, mold inspector (or tenant himself) should do an all-around physical examination of building for both visible and hidden signs of water damage and mold growth. In addition, inspector or tenant should mold test air and visible mold growths in all rooms, basement, crawl space, attic, garage, plus outward airflow from each heating/cooling duct register.
8. Mold testing requires mold laboratory analysis and mold species identification of collected mold and air samples. In building locations with previous floods or leaks, examination should also include fiber optics inspection to look inside water-penetrated ceilings, walls, and floors for hidden mold infestations.
9. The landlord or rental manager should disclose in writing to all prospective tenants any previous or present building water and mold problems, and what owner or manager has done, if anything, to correct such problems. Attach these water damage and mold disclosures to rental lease agreement so that tenant acknowledges receipt thereof.
10. In consideration of, and based upon, landlord’s accurate and complete mold disclosure, and tenant’s full and unrestricted opportunity to inspect and test rental unit thoroughly and carefully prior to signing lease, lease agreement may include a clause that releases landlord, rental manager, and rental real estate agent/broker from all mold liability to tenant.
For more mold inspection, mold testing, and mold remediation information, please visit:
http://www.certifiedmoldinspectors.com http://www.moldinspection.com http://www.moldinspector.com/mold_removal.htm http://www.bleach-mold-myth.com
Phillip Fry is a Certified Mold Inspector, Certified Mold Remediator, and author of the books Mold Legal Guide and Mold Health Guide