Having a property for rent is an excellent source of passive income. Nonetheless, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. Having a property that you’re not living in makes it a lot harder to control. This means that you need to check in on it as much as possible. Running into problems like having mold can feel devastating at first. However, there are ways to get rid of mold in your rental.
Finding mold
Mold, unfortunately, can come in many forms. It’s essentially a fungus that grows on nearly any surface you can think of. It varies and is, therefore, sometimes hard to spot. They can appear in different colors, not just green. Some are quite noticeable, and some you won’t be able to spot for months, maybe even years, since they are hidden and don’t smell. What all types of mold have in common, though, is that humid, damp places are the perfect habitat for mold.
Consequently, most mold tends to proliferate in kitchens, especially under sinks and dishwashers, and especially in bathrooms. Bathrooms are quite a common nesting place for mold. Make sure to get rid of it from your rental’s bathroom if you find it there.
Why is it harmful?
Why should you get rid of mold in your rental? In short, mold is harmful to the health of organisms that breathe in the spores which they release into the air. Of course, small amounts won’t do any harm to those who aren’t severely allergic to it or are prone to asthma. However, mold spreads quite quickly. This is why you should act fast. If you’re exposed to prolonged inhalation, you can suffer respiratory and neurological problems and allergic reactions. So, besides the fact that it’ll be hard to find new tenants with a moldy property, you should do it in consideration of your health and the health of others.
Things to get to before getting rid of mold in your rental
There are some things that you should consider before you get rid of mold in your rental.
- Know what you’re doing
- If you’re not well-versed in the property management legal side, hiring professionals willl make everything easier. This way, you’ll have someone with plenty of experience to assist you. Make sure that you’re open to any suggestions that they might have.
- Estimate whether you really have mold
- Identifying the mold isn’t as easy as it sounds. Use your nose and eyes to help guide you. It’s mostly black, gray, or green. It’s often moist and found in dark and damp places and has a musty, unpleasant smell. There are harmful kinds and those that aren’t, but you should get rid of any mold in your rental. Black mold is the most toxic. You can find DIY test kits that’ll help you determine whether what you’ve found is actually mold. If you’re unsure, call certified mold testers. Paying for this service might not have been in your plans, but it’s necessary.
- Hire a moving company
- If you need to clear out your whole place to remove mold, hire someone who’ll help you. Moving companies can remove extra furniture hassle-free and store them while you solve your problem.
Finding black mold is devastating. It’s quite toxic, and you should be alarmed and proceed to get rid of it from your rental as soon as possible.
Black mold that you should get rid of immediately if you find it in your rental.
Be wary of remediation clauses
Knowing the landlord’s responsibilities before getting rid of mold in your rental is essential. Over time, medical professionals and the government have realized the severe consequences that mold can have on human health. There are no particular laws when it comes to mold in large. However, some states, like California and Texas, have some rules regarding regulations of mold testing. Tenants can sue landlords in all states for any health problems that the mold in their property has caused them. So, although there may
Why should you get rid of mold in your rental?
No matter if you’re looking for something that’ll boost your property value or if you have already existing tenants, getting rid of moldy areas in your rental as soon as possible is a no-brainer. Be it for material reasons or health ones, you shouldn’t wait any longer than absolutely necessary. Be cautious, and don’t let anything distract you.
How to do it?
Knowing just how to solve mold problems in your rental is essential. This isn’t just some ordinary cleaning chore; it’s quite serious. Here are some steps that are a must:
- Fix any water problems you might have
- If you have any issues with your pipe installation or any regulatory problems that involve water in any way, make sure you deal with those. If you don’t, you won’t be able to get rid of mold in any lasting way.
- Stop the damage
- Either advise your tenants to move out or separate the room from the rest of the property somehow. Don’t let them be exposed to the mold for any longer.
- Prevent the mold from spreading
- Chlorine bleach can be effective in killing some types of mold on surfaces. Apply bleach to the area that’s infected (try a small amount out on an out-of-the-way area first). Conversely you can remove the effected area entirely but be sure to dispose of it in accordance with any regulations.
- Clean everything you can
- You need to clean the whole property spotless and moisture-free. What’s more, keeping your storage area clean is also important if that’s the place you’re temporarily moving the infected materials. Make sure to create as inhospitable an environment as you can to get rid of the mold in your rental property efficiently.
- Make sure that everything is dry
- While you’re cleaning, try to completely dry any area that’s been cleared of mold to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
- Bring in professionals to assess the new situation
- Once you’ve gotten rid of mold in your rental, take the time to have someone assess the current situation. Although it costs extra, you’ll be able to relax afterward.
Offer compensation
If you’ve managed to get rid of mold in your rental successfully, think about offering some sort of material compensation to your tenants if they were affected in any way. Try to be understanding if they’re upset and think about how you’ll handle this situation. It hasn’t been easy on them either.
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