One issue that can catch property owners and residents unexpectedly is the signs of mold in the residence. Because it starts to minimally and grows slowly, customarily inside walls or out of sight within other structures, numerous molds can precisely go from invisible to a dire health hazard fast.
There are lots of assorted kinds of molds, but the toxic variety is called Black Mold, or Stachybotrys atra. Often a slimy greenish-black or gray from the outside, toxic mold increases in damp places in the home including leaky roofs, windows, or pipes, or even under floors and in ceilings if you’ve had a flood or leak. Black Mold gives off a musty odor, and when present can sharply limit your ability to secure the safety of a rental home. It is important to note, Stachybotrys molds are not always black, meaning molds of different colors could also be dangerous. In other words, there’s no way to tell just by looking whether you’re dealing with toxic or harmless mold.
While mold, as a rule, is very common in damp indoor environments, Stachybotrys is less common than other mold species, including Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) doesn’t have analysis about how often Stachybotrys molds are found in buildings, but it’s less common than flaunting media reports would prefer to admit.
Health Hazards
The presence of toxic mold is a serious health liability. The CDC reports show the link between the presence of mold in the home and serious health effects, including respiratory problems (coughing or wheezing, throat irritation, nasal stuffiness), eye irritation, or skin irritation. People with allergies, asthma or lung disease may be even more gravely affected, giving rise to serious infections in the lungs or other life-threatening conditions.
Property Damage
By reason of the danger caused by toxic mold, it’s serious to arrest an outbreak as proficiently as possible. As a landlord, you may be held under obligation if you are aware that mold is present in a rental home but fail to take the acceptable steps to take charge of it.
More than legal liability, toxic mold can bring forth severe damage to a rental home if left unhindered. Mold grows well wherever a steady supply of moisture is present. It can grow on cardboard, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, carpet, and upholstery. It can also grow on wood products, including the wood inside walls and floors, on insulation, and even on drywall and paint. With so much to be risked in your rental properties, it’s central to enforce regular maintenance that includes good mold prevention strategies.
Call the Experts
Surprisingly enough, some property management companies don’t count mold a serious thing. They may try to escape from costs by not addressing water damage or telling residents to deal with it themselves. But mold should never be handled leniently and placing the health of your residents at risk is certainly not a good idea. The serious distinction of the damages caused by ignoring mold makes it a job for a company that will work to guard you and your residents from unwanted corollaries.
In Conclusion
At Real Property Management Executives Greater Atlanta, we take into account the hazards that wild growths of mold present to rental property owners. Our team of competent property managers and service professionals in Alpharetta will tackle the issue early on and put right it, thereby saving you both time and money. Would you like a free assessment of your rental property? Please contact us online or call us at 678-765-8383 for more information.