Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Massachusetts
mMOLD
I have lived in my apartment for 1 week, I signed a one year lease, after only two days in this dwelling I have had an asthma attack everynight a nd severe headaches, there is a foul musty sweet smell coming from one particular wall, I suspect mold as there is a sag in the ceiling, directly above the odor. I havent contacted anybody as of this date due to the fact I want to take the appropriate steps as to not compromise any actions I may be able to take. I haven't had the wall evaluated by a pfoffesional or anyone else for that matter. I would like to know if i can end this lease as soon as possible as i feel the repair is going to costly and extremely time consuming. Do I have any course of action I may take? Thankyou--name removed--cook
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: mMOLD
Your first step is to notify your landlord IN WRITING immediately. Be descriptive of your symptoms and the dates on which you first noticed the odor/mold.
Inform the landlord that if it is not fixed immediately, you will contact the local Board of Health - - then do it!
Make sure you do all communicating with your landlord in writing, and confirm all oral conversations with a follow-up letter.
Contact an attorney if no reasonable attempts are made to remedy the situation. It is also possible that with the help of an attorney, you would be able to negotiate a termination of the lease and a return of all deposits.
Feel free to contact me if you have further questions. w w w . vaughnmartel . c o m
Re: mMOLD
Report your symptoms and your suspicions of mold in your new apartment as a possible cause to your primary care physician as soon as possible. If your doctor agrees that the presence of mold in the apartment may well be the cause, get a copy of the doctor's report and take it to an attorney to have that attorney contact your landlord.
Your first concern should be your health. Good luck!