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


Asked on 4/06/08, 7:17 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Christopher Vaughn-Martel Charles River Law Partners, LLC

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

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Answered on 4/06/08, 7:43 pm
Joseph Murray Joseph M. Murray, Esq.

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!

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Answered on 4/11/08, 12:08 pm


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