HomeMy WebLinkAboutmold-brochure-tenants
250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 238-3381
Fax: (510) 238-2959
TDD: (510) 238-3254
Information: (510) 238-6402
Before renting a unit, the landlord is responsi-
ble for making sure the property “is fit for
occupation by human beings and that it
substantially complies with state and local
building and health codes that materially
affect tenants’ health and safety”
(Green v. Superior Court, 1974)
Exposure to moisture and mold is not healthy
and can make a house not livable, especially
for infants, children, elderly, and people with
a weakened immune system. A person with
HIV, a person with cancer and receiving
chemotherapy, and people with respiratory
issues (i.e. asthma, emphysema, COPD, and
chemical sensitivities) are more likely to be
affected by mold exposure.
MOLD MOLD
AND AND
MOISTUREMOISTURE
Protect Your Family’s Protect Your Family’s
Health Health
Informational Brochure
for
Tenants
The following websites are additional
information on landlord and tenant
responsibilities as well as mold facts.
The Dept. of Consumer Affairs in California
http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/
landlordbook/index.shtml (800) 952-5210
Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/mold/ (415) 947-8000
California Department of Public Health
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/IAQ/
Documents/MIMH_2012-07-05.pdf
Most Common
Wheezing
Difficulty Breathing
Nasal Congestion
Eye Irritation
Nose and throat Irritation
Rashes
Severe Cases
Headaches
Memory Problems
Mood Swings
Body Aches
Fevers
SS I G N SI G N S A N DA N D S Y M P T O M SS Y M P T O M S
OO FF M O L DM O L D E X P O S U R EE X P O S U R E
PP R OV I D I N GR OV I D I N G H E A L T H YH E A L T H Y
H O U S I N GH O U S I N G
R E S O U R C E SR E S O U R C E S
Created in partnership with the following organizations:
City of Oakland, Building Services
Alameda County Public Health Department, Asthma Start
Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program,
Healthy Home Project
Regional Asthma Management and Prevention
Mold is a fungus
that is naturally
present indoors
and outdoors.
Mold’s function is
to decay organic
materials. Mold
produces small spores that travel through
the air and grow on damp organic surfaces.
There are three things mold needs to grow:
1) water, 2) food, 3) proper temperature.
When mold is found indoors, there is
sufficient moisture on walls and other sur-
faces for mold to grow.
How much moisture does mold need to
grow? Indoor humidity of 55% or higher is
ideal for mold to grow, and it only takes 24
-48 hours to develop. Moisture can come
from a roof or plumbing leak, air drying
clothes inside the house, lack of air circu-
lation, closed windows and heating or air
conditioning systems.
What materials can act as food for mold?
Any organic material such as wood gyp-
sum, wallboard, insulation, ceiling tiles,
paper products, dust, paint,
carpet, and fabric (curtains).
At what temperature does
mold grow? Mold can grow in tempera-
tures between 40°F—99°F.
WW H A TH A T I SI S M O L DM O L D A N DA N D W H E R EW H E R E
D O E SD O E S I TI T C O M EC O M E F R O MF R O M ??
If you believe that your
rental unit is in need of
repairs contact your
landlord with both a phone
call and letter. In the phone
call and letter document the date, the
damage or defects, how it is impacting your
health and the required repair. It is
recommended that the letter be sent by
certified mail with a return receipt
requested. Keep a copy of the letter.
If the landlord does not make the requested
repairs and can not give a good reason for
not doing so, then you may have other
options. For details see “Having Repairs
Made” at http://www.dca.ca.gov/
publications/landlordbook/index.shtml
or call (800) 952-5210 or call Oakland’s
Code Enforcement for your options (510)
238-3381
Landlords can not legally retaliate or evict
a tenant for exercising their legal right, or
complaining about a problem. Tenants are
protected against retaliatory eviction or
other acts under the law. For details see
“Retaliatory Actions, Evictions and Dis-
crimination” at
http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/
landlordbook/retalitory-actions.shtml.
II N F O R MN F O R M YO U RYO U R L A N D L O R DL A N D L O R D
MM O L DO L D P R E V E N T I O NP R E V E N T I O N
You cannot mold-proof a house, but you can
make it mold resistant by addressing the
conditions that lead to mold growth.
Ensure Adequate Airflow
• Open windows.
• Open blinds or curtains
• Use exhaust fans.
• Move furniture away from
wall.
Eliminate Moisture Intrusion
• Notify landlord when
- There are cracks in walls,
around windows, and doors.
- There are leaking water or sewer pipes or
roof or flooding by outside water.
• Non-porous surfaces (i.e. counter tops,
glass, plastic, metal) can be cleaned with
water and mild detergent; rinse with water
and dry thoroughly.
• Porous materials (i.e. dry wall, rug/carpet
and padding, upholstered furniture,
mattresses) need to be discarded.
• Do NOT paint or caulk over a moldy surface.
• Do NOT clean mold with bleach. It is
an asthma trigger and can cause an
asthma attack. (NEVER mix
bleach with ammonia. It will
produce toxic fumes).
CC L E A NL E A N A N DA N D R E M OV ER E M OV E MM O L DO L D