What To Do About Mold In An Apartment In Washington State

Just discovered mold in your apartment or rental home in Washington State? We can tell you all you need to know about what to do about mold in an apartment in Washington State!

We're Cleaner Guys, a professional mold removal company in Washington State with more than 60 years of combined experience! We know that dealing with mold can be scary, and you may feel uncertain. That's exactly why we wrote this article to help you through this trying time! Read on for all our best advice!

First 3 Things To Do When You Find Mold In Your Apartment

The first 3 things you should do right away when you find mold in your apartment are:

1. Contact your landlord by phone, email, and written notice, and tell them about the mold. Explain the location of the mold, when it appeared, and the size of the area it covers. Document the mold with lots of photos, and send those to your landlord too. Your landlord needs to be aware of the issue, regardless of who is responsible for its removal.
2. If possible, shut off the room with the mold and do not reenter it until it has been inspected, and, preferably, removed. Exposure to mold in an apartment can make you sick. Worse than that, it can be very dangerous for those with weak immune systems, like children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions!
3. Determine if the mold is actually mold, or if it's mildew. This may seem like a silly distinction to make, but it is the difference between whether you can easily clean it yourself, no fuss, or if you'll need professional help. Mildew grows only on hard, non-porous surfaces, like plastic and tile. It's most commonly found in showers. Mold, on the other hand, grows on porous surfaces like drywall and wood. If you find mold on drywall or wood, you'll probably need to call a professional mold removal company, like Cleaner Guys.

What Are My Rights As a Renter With Mold In Washington State?

According to Enjuris.com, renters in Washington State do not have any specific rights about or protection from mold. Furthermore, according to the Washington State Department of Health, landlords are not legally required to remove mold once it's there. They are legally required to maintain the plumbing and the building itself. This is good because those are usually the causes of water intrusion, which leads to mold. Landlords are also required to inform their tenants that mold is dangerous and that they should take steps to prevent it. But once there is mold, the landlord is not required by law to fix it.

This means it's up to you to watch for any damage or leaks in your apartment, such as leaking plumbing. Check regularly, and if you ever find anything, urge your landlord to repair it right away. You will also probably be responsible for hiring a mold removal company to take care of it.

Can I Withhold Rent for Mold In Washington State?

According to WashingtonLawHelp.org, no, it is not legal in Washington State to withhold rent from your landlord because of mold, because they are not legally obligated to remove it. Note that Cleaner Guys is not a law practice, and we are not giving legal advice. We are simply passing along the legal advice of experts who do have the qualifications to advise you. We encourage you to seek more information with legal experts.

How Long Does My Landlord Have to Fix Mold in Washington State?

Again, your landlord is not legally required in the state of Washington to remove or fix the mold. You should contact them by phone, by email, and by written notice about the mold. Confer with them about what to do. If they will not fix the mold (which they are not legally required to do), then it will likely be up to you. You'll have to either figure out how to clean the mold (only if it's very small), or hire a professional mold removal company.

Is Mold Common In Washington State?

In our experience as professional mold remediation company in Washington State, yes, mold is very common in Washington State. But actually, Washington State is not one of top states in the United States for mold. In fact, the World Population Review puts Washington in the bottom 10 states for mold incidents! This is because, while Washington is very rainy and wet, it is not very humid or warm. Mold loves moisture, humidity, and warmth to grow. That's why more humid states, like Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi have the most mold.

Can Mold Make an Apartment Uninhabitable?

Yes, mold can make an apartment uninhabitable. However, it doesn't always. Small amounts of mold are usually not dangerous enough to force you out of your apartment. But there are 3 situations with mold where you should leave until it's removed:

1. If someone who lives in the apartment is immunocompromised or is having severe allergic reactions to the mold, you should relocate immediately until the mold is removed.
2. If the mold is black, you should leave the apartment immediately until the mold is removed. There is a species of black mold that is considered the most toxic mold species there is.
3. If the mold has spread further than about 2 square feet of space, you should vacate the apartment until it is removed.

What To Do Next

Once you've contacted your landlord about the mold, used our guide to determine if the growth is mildew or mold, and done your best to shut off the moldy area from the rest of the apartment, the next thing you do (if you're dealing with mold and not mildew) is to call a professional mold removal company in Washington State.

If you live North of Seattle, consider Cleaner Guys as a high-quality, well-trusted option for professional mold removal! We're known for our affordable prices, award-winning customer service, and top-notch workmanship. Call us right now at (360)757-4300 and let's talk through your mold problem!