This article appeared in the Apartment Times in November of 2000. Reproduced with permission from the Charlotte Apartment Association. In early 2000, a former tenant sued a California apartment complex owner and its individual employees for personal injury and wrongful death damages.
Mold growth is encouraged by warm, humid, and damp conditions.
The source of these conditions may be as simple as a water leak, to as complicated as bird droppings on an open window ledge. To protect yourself from being sued, it is important to be proactive in maintaining a safe living environment for your tenants. Preventative IAQ management should also include the implementation of certain oversight functions. Educate your staff, tenants, and contractors about their responsibilities in maintaining good indoor air quality. In particular, advise tenants to maintain adequate temperature and humidity levels, use ventilation fans in bathrooms and kitchens at all times, and promptly notify management of water leaks and damage.