Opinions...

[Slow Joe]

Alright, I've got some questions for everyone... Maybe someone has some better insight on this since it's got me pissed off at the moment.

Yesterday afternoon, I went into my basement storage locker in my apartment building, we've lived here for 2 months now and are doing some reorganizing so I wanted to check on some furniture that we have down there that maybe could be used... Anyways back to the important stuff. I'm leaning over my leather recliner, that don't fit in my living room, not even thinking, all of a sudden I smell something, look down and it's COVERED with mold type stuff (white), I look around and it seems like it didn't get anything else. Then I look closer, it covered the bottom of my old kitchen table, back of my entertianment center, and I didn't even look at the rest of the stuff.

By that point I was having troubles breathing down there so I got out...

I'm trying to figure out what to do. I already placed a call into my landlord, who will hopefully call me back.

Is there anything that I can do legally about this if he don't do anything about the basement? Is there anything that I can do to make him accountable for the furniture that's most likely ruined?

Thus far my girlfriend has had tons of coughing problems, including bronchitis since we've moved in here, and I've had my allergies irritated more than before. And it just seems that it's gotten alot worse since it's started raining more. I'm assuming that something in the basement is leaking creating this problem.

Any help is appreciated.

[PureSound15]

That's no good Joe!

I have no idea what kind of legal issue you have but I am a law student so if no one else can provide help, I'd have no problem asking one of my professors.

As far as cleaning it up... if it's really bad I would think it's best to have a professional do itl. Otherwise with new construction sites they usually put 2 or 3 de-humidifiers in the basement and a few fans. That would probably caus a problem if that's where your air system is drawing it's air from. Maybe change the filter now so that your girlfriend doesn't have too many more respitory problems (which are probably caused by mold).

If there is any kind of water leaking into the basement, then it would be a breach of the landlords contract to properly maintain the property. If that is the case then you would have the problem of him saying that "you should have noticed." If that problem was there and known about before you moved in then you would have a very strong case. I'm sure he knows what he's responsible for, and if you do some research and confront him about it with some knoledge to boot, hopefully he'll take care of it.

Let me know if you need anything. But mold is a messy thing, I think fire damage clean up companies will tackle mold as well.

[Slow Joe]

Interestingly enough the air for the apartment building is not drawn through the basement. The basement air is very stagnate with no fans, or ventilation (that I know of). I just took a walk through the basement, and I think I have found the "mold factory". There is a portion of the basement, with a skylight, there is some green moss (I think) at the bottom. This is covered with a portion of some type of thick plastic flaps, which tons of BLACK MOLD is growing on. I'm not quite sure what use that has in the basement, but I sure know that I'm going to find out when I confront my landlord...

EDIT: When I say at the bottom, I mean on the floor, and down the walls, I should of been more specific.

[88Nightmare]

well idk about any of the legal stuff, but if you decide to move and need a truck, i got ya covered buddy :D

[UnderPSI]

I don't know if you can do anthing about it on the legal end. But renters insurance should cover it no problem.

My dad does have a nice place for rent right now too.:thumbsup

[97z2801ss]

does any of your neighbors stuff have crap on it?
id ask them if they know too

[DirtyMax]

Do some research on the subject of "Implied Warranty of Habitability". The basement is in the grey area of that law but if that "space" is written into your lease, you are paying for the satisfactory use of it and not getting it.

Any other questions, just let me know. :thumbsup

[Slow Joe]

Well, his comment was "well, I know it gets a little damp down there... I guess maybe I should put a dehumidifier down there" I told him about the skylight thing and he said "oh... well.. that gets a little mold from time to time..." I'm going to take pictures tonight..

[Nix]

Dude if you have you and your woman are noticing changes in your breathing and alergies I would get the hell outta that place. It sounds like a dump and its compramising you and your womans health. I would ask the other tennants about their health and personal items. Maybe its just you two but I highly doubt that.

Also get those pics up asap and let us all see what we are dealing with here.

[ThatWhiteCivic]

If you post a pic, a friend could let you know whether it is likely the mold is toxic. Most important thing to do though, is not to disturb it i.e. make it airbourne.
EDIT: Mold is new asbestos BTW, why don't you go ahead and hit the lottery.

[Reverend Cooper]

call osha or the wisc. health dept

[Slow Joe]

I know that quite a few of the tennants are moving out for various reasons supposedly. So maybe that's what's going on... The place don't look like a dump, I can sure say that much, but I'll get pictures up once I get home tonight, which will be shortly after 9...

[DirtyMax]

Document, Document, Document.

I've done hella research on landlord-tenant law and had to use it myself recently.

Take pictures and send him a certified letter stating what's wrong. By law, he has 21 days to do something. If not, rights have been broken. If you just call him, it's all he said-she said. Had I not sent everything certified and taken hundreds of pictures, I'd still be stuck in a lease. Bur because I did, not even his attorney could find a loophole in my process.

Seriously, do some research on Wisconsin Tenant Law. Namely "Implied Warranty of Habitability". Hell, Mold even might fall under "Constructive Eviction" too if not dealt with properly and professionally in 21 days.

Here's a site to get you started:

http://wsll.state.wi.us/topic/landlord.html


Good luck and PM me with any questions.

[Slow Joe]

Just curious, digital pictures are fine, correct? Or do I need a regular camera??

[DirtyMax]

Digital pics are better actually. Then you can back them up on CD and your hard drive. Time and date stamp feature helps too if you got it.

[BAD LS1]

you have renters insurance right? hmmm random spark from something + a flamable object = Mold problem solved.

[Crawlin]

hahaha

Brad's dad's place is nice. private entrance, private garage.

[DirtyMax]

you have renters insurance right? hmmm random spark from something + a flamable object = Mold problem solved.

Make sure it's right after I bring over my (5) 50 inch Plasma TV's for you to borrow... :goof

[Slow Joe]

you have renters insurance right? hmmm random spark from something + a flamable object = Mold problem solved.

Yes, with 20k worth of insurance :thumbsup

[BAD LS1]

Light it up!

[Slow Joe]

:rolf Not exactly what I wanted to hear as an option... Going to jail for arson wouldn't be a good thing in my mind... But then I would have a criminal record like most of my coworkers :rolf

[Teufelhunden]

or just make a claim for the mold damage and be done with it. Break your lease and find a new apartment with a bigger living room and no mold issues.

[DirtyMax]

or just make a claim for the mold damage and be done with it. Break your lease and find a new apartment with a bigger living room and no mold issues.

I agree. But you have to take the legal necessary steps or you will wind up in court, subsequently paying rent on a moldy ass place you don't even live in anymore.

[Slow Joe]

you have to take the legal necessary steps or you will wind up in court, subsequently paying rent on a moldy ass place you don't even live in anymore.

Quoted for truth. I'll get pictures tonight and post some up so everyone can see what I'm talking about... And I'm not gunna burn the place down... :rolf

[BAD LS1]

Make sure the jism is in the garage when the place goes up, get rid of that 3rd car.

[Slow Joe]

Make sure the jism is in the garage when the place goes up, get rid of that 3rd car.

I don't have full coverage on it... We'd have to leave the Fusion in there :stare Full coverage + Gap on that puppy... :thumbsup

[GRAMPS SS]

thanks joe...now i can tell the wife not to look at those apt .....there not that old either

[Slow Joe]

thanks joe...now i can tell the wife not to look at those apt .....there not that old either

Nope, they're about 17 years old now... I didn't know there was a problem til Sunday... I'm not sure if it's all of 'em in that area or just the building we live in... But no problem for the heads up... :rolf

[Slow Joe]

Here are the pictures... Let's hear what you guys think...

The "skylight room"
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d181/joe53051/Moldy%20Basement/MoldyBasementStuff9-18-06002.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d181/joe53051/Moldy%20Basement/MoldyBasementStuff9-18-06003.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d181/joe53051/Moldy%20Basement/MoldyBasementStuff9-18-06007.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d181/joe53051/Moldy%20Basement/MoldyBasementStuff9-18-06008.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d181/joe53051/Moldy%20Basement/MoldyBasementStuff9-18-06004.jpg

Sump Pump
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d181/joe53051/Moldy%20Basement/MoldyBasementStuff9-18-06009.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d181/joe53051/Moldy%20Basement/MoldyBasementStuff9-18-06010.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d181/joe53051/Moldy%20Basement/MoldyBasementStuff9-18-06011.jpg

Leaky Wall??
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d181/joe53051/Moldy%20Basement/MoldyBasementStuff9-18-06001.jpg

The Leather Chair
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d181/joe53051/Moldy%20Basement/MoldyBasementStuff9-18-06013.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d181/joe53051/Moldy%20Basement/MoldyBasementStuff9-18-06012.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d181/joe53051/Moldy%20Basement/MoldyBasementStuff9-18-06014.jpg

The Kitchen Table
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d181/joe53051/Moldy%20Basement/MoldyBasementStuff9-18-06016.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d181/joe53051/Moldy%20Basement/MoldyBasementStuff9-18-06015.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d181/joe53051/Moldy%20Basement/MoldyBasementStuff9-18-06017.jpg

Maybe I'm just nuts, but that really does look like mold to me... Or something...

[88Nightmare]

hmmm.

Lets burn this mother****er down!!!

[DirtyMax]

The stuff on the plastic flaps looks like mold. The stuff on your chair and table looks like mildew. But I could be wrong... I'm no expert. Either way, it's bad news. He needs to get you a dehimidifier stat and/or give you rent concession because running that m-f'er 24/7 is going to cause your electric bill to go up a crapload.

[Slow Joe]

Yeah, I always confuse the mold/mildew thing... We'll see what he does, he said he'd be putting one down there, but I'm going to look into what you were talking about and see what else I should do...

[DirtyMax]

he said he'd be putting one down there

It (dehumidifier) wasn't there and running when you moved in. I'd ***** that it's extra electricity that you weren't planning on having to pay for and etc. and see what he does.

If you really want to move, I think you have outs with all that mold. If you want him to lower your rent to stay, I think you have a shot at that too.

Good Luck!!

[Slow Joe]

He put a dehumidifier in the basement, and hooked it upto the "general electric for the apartment building" supposedly... I'll watch my electric bill...

I honestly like the location and the price, it was the least expensive in the area for what you get, I just want a nice place to live... Not a mold and mildew infested bomb...