Wise property owners are aware that the best strategy to implement when it comes to maintenance and repair issues is to resolve the issue fast and then come up with best practices on how to keep it at its best. On the other hand, to disregard or choosing to ignore even the slightest issue can lead to hefty settlements and costly damages, and could even potentially put you or your residents at risk.
If you own and manage your own property, you know that the presence of mold is a big problem. What starts out as a tiny area can easily spread and increase in growth in a span of days, and because they can go unnoticed for a long period of time, it could very well be one of the most common issues that can cause a huge dilemma.
Mold comes in many colors and shapes. The ones that are a cause for concern come in black, white, green or gray but none proves to be more common than the toxic variety called Black Mold, or Stachybotrys atra. This type of mold presents as a greenish-black or gray in appearance. Toxic mold can thrive behind wall panels, in ceilings or on floors without showing any visible signs inside the room itself. Hidden black toxic mold growth is usually caused by hidden leaks in the wall, roof or floor, it gives off an unpleasant musty odor, and when present can severely limit your ability to guarantee the safety of a rental home. Because Stachybotrys molds are not always black, a typical glance is not enough to distinguish if you have a toxic or harmless kind.
There are a number of mold species that are also common in damp indoor environments, to name a few there’s Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria, Stachybotrys is less common compared to these kinds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) doesn’t have the exact number as to how often Stachybotrys molds are found in buildings but they are definitely not as rampant as what the media outlets are reporting.
Health Hazards
The CDC reports connections between the occurrence of mold in the home and serious health effects, including respiratory problems (coughing or wheezing, throat irritation, nasal stuffiness), eye irritation, or skin irritation. Individuals with allergies, asthma or lung disease may be even more severely affected, leading to serious infections in the lungs or other life-threatening conditions.
Property Damage
Since you as a landlord are responsible for keeping your properties fit and livable, you will need to address any structural problems that might be giving rise to mold. It is best to keep everything checked to keep tabs on anything that may need looking into.
It would be a good idea for you to talk to your tenants about strategies for mold prevention. Keeping in mind the possibilities of being sued, toxic mold can severely cause massive destruction albeit little by little to your rental home if left unchecked.
Call the Experts
The truth of the matter is that some if not most, property management companies don’t look into mold as something that needs to be taken seriously. Sometimes, they may even imply to the residents that those issues are to be handled by them. They deem simple repair issues such as water leaks to be costly and tend to avoid spending for such repairs, which of course results in even bigger problems. But mold should never be handled lightly and placing the health of your residents at risk is never a good idea. The serious nature of the damages caused by ignoring mold makes it a job for a company that will work to protect you and your residents from unwanted consequences.
In Conclusion
At Real Property Management Optimum, we understand the hazards that uncontrolled growths of mold present to rental property owners. Our professional team can help you and your tenants in Sauk Centre take preventive measures to help reduce mold that means you get to grow your returns in the long term and help ensure the durability of your investment well into the future. Would you like a free assessment of your rental property? Please contact us online or call us at 612-730-8293 for more information.
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