Mold Busters Resources - NYCHA

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Customer Contact Center

MyNYCHA

Apartment Inspections

Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy

Clean NYCHA

Community Health

Digital Vans

Domestic Violence

Emergency Management

Heating Season

Homeownership Program

Asbestos

Lead Safety

Lead-Based Paint Inspections

Micromobility

Mold Busters

NYCHA Journal

Parking

Pay Rent

Permanent Exclusion

Pest Control

Policies & Procedures

Repairs Process

Residents Vote

REES

Reasonable Accommodation

Relocation Services

Senior Programs

Smoke-Free NYCHA


Mold Busters: Resources for Residents

Mold and Mold Prevention

Mold is a fungus that usually grows in wet or damp places (i.e. bathrooms). Mold can be many different colors, including gray, black, green, yellow and orange. It may look furry, slimy or powdery. Some mold has a musty, stale or earthy smell. Exposure to mold may cause allergic reactions or trigger asthma attacks.
Below are some tips to help limit moisture and mold growth in your apartment:

Check exhaust ventilation in your bathroom by holding a piece of tissue to the exhaust grill (the tissue should stick to grill). Request repairs if there is no suction, or if the vent grill is clogged with dust by calling the Customer Contact Center or via the MyNYCHA app.

Do not use shower racks or clothes lines above bathtubs. Moisture from wet clothing may cause mold growth in the bathroom.

Open bathroom windows and doors after showering and improve general ventilation in your apartment by keeping windows slightly open when the weather allows.

Request repairs for leaky plumbing or other water leaks as soon as possible.

Remember that clothes dryers are never permitted in NYCHA apartments.

For additional resources, read How to Prevent and Get Rid of Mold in the Home, and visit NYC’s Department of Health and Mental Health’s Mold web page.

NYCHA’s New Mold Procedure Explained

Step 1: Mold Service Request

A mold work order is created when:

A resident calls the Customer Contact Center with a mold complaint

A resident uses the MyNYCHA mobile app to report a mold condition, or,

A NYCHA employee observes a mold condition in an apartment

Note: Mold Service Requests are subject to NYCHA’s Right of Entry.

Step 2: Initial Inspection

The inspector (Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent):

Identifies the probable root cause(s)

Determines appropriate next steps to remediate the mold

Notes any other related conditions that lead to mold

Shares findings with the resident and leaves a form detailing next steps

Step 3: Remediation

During the remediation stage NYCHA completes work to remediate mold within seven days for simple repairs and within fifteen days for complex repairs. The term “simple” is used to describe repairs that can be completed by development staff (i.e. maintenance workers and caretakers). In contrast, complex repairs require involvement by NYCHA’s skilled trades (i.e., painters, plasters, plumbers).

Step 4: Quality Assurance Inspection

Upon completion, NYCHA performs a quality assurance inspection to ensure the mold remediation work was done effectively and will not result in a recurrence.

NYCHA’s Right to Entry Policy Explained

What is Right to Entry?

“Right to Entry” is utilized when NYCHA needs to address environmental hazards and perform critical mold-related inspections and repairs as soon as possible. According to your lease, a NYCHA worker can enter your apartment to make repairs whether or not you are home, if you are given written notice two days prior. See the sample Right to Entry Notice below.

What should you expect if Right to Entry is utilized to enter your apartment?

If repairs were made when you weren’t home, the NYCHA worker will leave a tag on your door noting the repairs that were completed.

If your door lock was changed due to the repair, pick up your new keys from the property management office the day the repairs were made, up until 4:30pm. After that, pick them up at your local Police Service Area (bring your ID).

This door tag will be used to indicate the presence of NYCHA staff or completed repairs when Right to Entry is employed.