Full question:
What is the landlords responsibility as to the possible presence of mold? I have verbally told him and put it in writing. It has been 2 months and he has made no efforts to even have the home checked. There are 9 people in the home and at any given time there are 4-5 with different respiratory issues. All of this started after a water leak under the master bath,which took about 3 weeks to find and repair. I am tired of my itchy eyes and raspy throat not to mention the kids being sick. Do we have a legal recourse?
- Category: Landlord Tenant
- Subcategory: Repairs
- Date:
- State: Florida
Answer:
In Florida, landlords have specific responsibilities regarding the maintenance of rental properties, including issues related to mold. According to Fla. Stat. § 83.51, landlords must comply with applicable building, housing, and health codes. If there are no such codes, they must maintain the property in good repair and ensure plumbing is in reasonable working condition. If you have reported the mold issue verbally and in writing, and the landlord has not taken action within a reasonable time, you may have legal recourse. Under Fla. Stat. § 83.55, if a landlord fails to comply with their obligations, the tenant can seek damages caused by that noncompliance. Given that multiple residents are experiencing respiratory issues, it is crucial to document all communications with your landlord and consider seeking legal advice to explore your options for addressing the mold problem.This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.