Mold in your apartment can be a scary problem. Not only is it hard to completely remove, but it is also a health hazard. When you find it and try to remove it, it may persist. It can even spread. The more it spreads, the bigger the health risk. And while mold in your apartment may seem like a small nuisance, it can become a bigger problem without you realizing it.

Call Your Apartment Manager

Let your management know about the mold in your apartment. They should want to have someone look at it and assess the problem. If they have already looked at it and it keeps coming back, keep calling them. Let them know that there is still a problem. It is detrimental to your health and the last thing you want is for it to spread, here is information about their liability.

If you call and don’t get an answer, send an email or leave a letter in the mailbox. Try stopping by the office, if you have a chance. It can be hard since most of them have normal business hours that match working hours. But, if you happen to see someone there when you leave for work or are almost home, just run in for a second. Make sure that you remember who you spoke to and when. You might need to reference it, later.

Take Photos of the Mold

Having evidence of the mold in your apartment, before the visit is a good idea. It will help you determine if anything has changed or gotten worse. If the mold recurs, take more photos. You want to document all of the problems you are having; you may need them later. If you have a digital cloud or another way to back up the photos, now is a good time to do it. You don’t want to forget and accidentally delete it. It may even be a good idea to start a folder and have printed copies of the photos with any letters or activity you have compiled. This will also help anyone you talk to about it, to see what it looks like and where it’s at.

Send a Certified Letter

If the problem persists and you don’t see results, send them a letter. List the dates and include the photos you took. You might also want to include a list of everyone you talked to, when you called and if any action was taken. Let them know that the problem is still occurring and you are concerned for your health. Send the letter Certified Mail, so that you have proof that it was received. You will want to keep all of this together.

Make sure that you have a copy of the letter and photos that you have sent. You can call and follow up with the manager after you know they have received it. I would give them a day or two, to make sure that it is seen by the person who handles it. But, if you haven’t heard something in two days, call and find out where it is in the process or when they are sending someone by.

Contact an Attorney

Find out what your options are. Your apartment manager is responsible for making sure that your apartment is safe. You might want to find out what the process is if they aren’t. It is good to know what your options are and how you should move forward. Once you decide the action you will take, you can call the manager and let them know that you have spoken to an attorney and their name. This will help them understand the severity of the issue and that they need to take action immediately. You don’t necessarily have to commit to an attorney. You can try to have the mold removed and ask the apartment manager to reimburse you, but you risk the chance that they won’t. At least speaking with an attorney will let you know what possible paths are and whether or not you should exercise them.

It is important to establish communication with your management office and make sure they understand what the problem is. You may also consider having someone come and look at the mold so that the apartment manager can see that there is mold in your apartment and it needs to be removed. The mold remediator should be able to provide you with a quote, which should show your apartment manager that this is a real problem and give them an idea of the cost. You can try starting here, to learn more. They will also be able to tell you how dangerous it is and what the risks are if you wait to have it removed. It is better to ask a professional for advice that to leave your life in the hands of chance.