Mold Issues In Condo: Who Is Responsible?

Mold in condos: Is it the HOA’s or homeowner’s responsibility to address this issue? We are sharing our experience to help you identify the source. Who is responsible for mold problems in condos? We have been involved in HOAs for condo buildings that are managed by board members or management companies. If you live in multiple-story condos, we recommend that you always live on the top floor. Because everything is so low, the first floor units often have mold and leak issues.

Los Angeles Mold Testing And Inspection With 911 Restoration of Central SFV

Customers often ask questions about mold remediation before booking. These are the questions we’ll answer today. There are two main parts to a mold inspection in Los Angeles. First, we inspect all areas suspected. We use moisture reading tools, micro mold cameras in the walls, bright LED flashlights and may need to remove small items to fully investigate the problem and determine the next steps. It is important that we identify any possible causes of mold growth during the initial inspection. We check for high levels of moisture, possible plumbing problems, and any other factors that could be causing the mold growth. We have an advantage over the competition because we are not only certified to mold but also have extensive knowledge about leak detection.

Who is responsible for mold issues in a condo?
Our customer lives on the first floor in Los Angeles. The customer suffered mold and water damage. After much back-and-forth with management and board members, 911 Restoration of Central SFV was hired to help find the root cause. They have plenty of documentation to prove it. It is a good idea to read through the bylaws and CCRs. They will explain what homeowners and HOA are responsible for. The homeowner is responsible for everything outside the walls. This is the big takeaway for folks who don’t know how to deal with HOA problems. This will save you money, time, and frustration.

The Toxic Mold

Stachybotrys was found in a customer’s condo. It is the black toxic mold. It is caused by slow leaks in darkened areas and eventually seeps through the wall substrates, which release mold spores. This can make your home very musty. Most people are allergic to this mold. Because it was in the bathroom cabinets, the HOA denied any responsibility. The toxic mold was growing out of control, so nothing was being done. Our customer was sickened and suffered more secondary damage. Finally, a call was made to us to investigate the issue.

Check Your Unit And Document

We set up containments and neutralized the water. Then, we placed a dehumidifier in order to remove the excess moisture. We then focused on the unit, the customer’s responsibilities and documented each step once we had ruled out their personal responsibility. Talk to your neighbor and get a copy of the document. It may be difficult to get access to your neighbor, depending on their kindness. However, it is essential to locate any water leaks that could be causing mold. If you suspect that the neighbor is leaking and there are damages, get an estimate.

Send the estimate by certified mail to your neighbor. This will give them the right to repair or fix any damages. If they refuse to take responsibility, call your insurance company and they will pursue your neighbor’s insurance for the damages. Although it doesn’t always work out as planned, it can save you a lot of grief.

Check out Common Areas

Once you’ve determined that the problem is not in your unit, we can then look for the source. Next, we need to focus on the common area structure. This is any structure or piping shared by all homeowners or stacks of units sharing one roof or line. We found that the common area pipe was cracked in this instance, allowing sewage water to seep under the cabinets of our client and causing mold.

Our Solution

Because the mold was caused by negligence, the HOA is now responsible. They would have addressed the crack pipe immediately if they had known about it. However, they waited too long, which is negligence.
If you can prove negligence in your HOA, you as the homeowner are covered.
Thanks for allowing 911 Restoraiton of Central SFV to share this story with you. We can help you with HOA issues in Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Calabasas, Encino, Los Angeles, Mission Hills, Pacific Palisades, San Fernado, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, and Van Nuys. We are here to help.

Are you looking for immediate expert assistance to address your mold damage or potential leak? We will provide expert advice and help you to locate the source of the leak and minimize damage. Give us a call at (818)-264-4100 and see how we can help you.