Mold in your apartment: what to do next

Start here

Start with the condition you can observe: where growth or dampness appears, whether water is still entering, and when you first noticed it. Notify the property manager promptly. You do not need to identify a mold species before reporting a problem; CDC does not recommend routine home mold testing. CDC

CDC · Source checked 2026-09-06

Address urgent concerns first

Avoid the affected area when possible. Seek urgent medical help for severe breathing difficulty. Tell a clinician about relevant symptoms and the damp conditions without assuming mold is the only possible cause.

People with asthma, COPD, immune suppression, or mold allergies should not do mold cleanup. CDC also advises people with asthma, COPD, or immune suppression against staying in a moldy home during cleanup. Discuss exposure concerns and practical accommodation needs with your clinician and property manager. CDC cleanup guidance

If the HVAC system itself is known or suspected to contain mold, EPA advises against operating it. Contact management promptly; arrange safe alternative cooling or accommodation if necessary. EPA

CDC cleanup guidance · Source checked 2026-09-06

Make a useful record

Our tenant worksheet gives you a place to keep the details together. Record:

• The date, room, and exact location of the problem.
• Overview and close-up photos taken without disturbing materials.
• Leaks, water stains, damaged belongings, and any previous repairs.
• Musty odors and any humidity readings, with the time and room.
• Maintenance ticket numbers, messages, inspection visits, and responses.

Keep original files and copies somewhere you can access outside the apartment. Distinguish what you saw from what you suspect. For example: “Water appeared below the AC closet twice this week” is more useful than an unsupported diagnosis of the whole system.

Send a written repair request

Subject: Moisture and suspected mold repair request - [address/unit]

Hello [property manager or landlord name],

On [date], I noticed [describe the condition] in [room or location]. I also observed [leak, dampness, or other moisture concern].

Please arrange an inspection, identify and repair the moisture source, and address the affected materials. Please confirm the inspection date and proposed work in writing.

I can coordinate access at [available days and times]. Previous maintenance ticket numbers are [numbers, or delete this sentence].

Attachments: [list photos or documents, or delete this line].

Thank you,
[Your name]
[Preferred contact information]

NIOSH remediation guidance · Source checked 2026-09-06

Be cautious about cleanup and testing

Do not open walls to investigate hidden growth. EPA's general guidance allows some small, uncomplicated areas to be cleaned by occupants, but extensive damage, contaminated water, hidden growth, and suspected HVAC contamination call for additional help. Its roughly 10-square-foot guideline is not a legal rule assigning cleanup to a tenant. Do not paint over mold. EPA residential guide

If limited cleanup is appropriate and authorized, follow the full public-health instructions, including respiratory, hand, and eye protection. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners. CDC cleanup instructions

An air-test result cannot establish a universal safe exposure level. NIOSH explains that visual assessment and musty odors can be more informative than short air samples. A qualified professional may still have a specific reason to sample; ask what decision the result would change. NIOSH

EPA residential guide · Source checked 2026-09-06

Find the right local help

If the response is missing or the problem returns, follow up with your records and consult your local housing/code agency. Public housing and subsidized housing can have separate management and complaint processes.

Start with the guide for your location: New York City, Washington, D.C., or Florida. The responsible agency and repair deadlines differ.

Withholding rent, deducting repair costs, or ending a lease can have serious consequences if the required conditions and notices are not met. Obtain local legal advice before taking those steps. The Legal Services Corporation provides a location-based directory of legal-aid organizations. Find legal aid

Find legal aid · Source checked 2026-09-06

What an HVAC visit can add

If dampness seems connected to the AC, ask management whether its inspection will cover the equipment, drainage, and ventilation. An HVAC contractor and a mold remediator may perform different parts of the work. A purifier or dehumidifier is not proof that the underlying repair is complete. Our HVAC and mold guide explains what to ask before anyone recommends new equipment.