Summary
The tenant is dealing with a mold issue in their rented property in Missouri. The landlord is aware of the issue and was initially covering the cost of a hotel for the tenant, but has now stopped. The tenant has documented the issue and has attempted to seek legal representation, but has been unsuccessful. The tenant has been advised to contact local tenant rights organizations and the Attorney Generals Office for assistance. The tenant has also been informed that in Missouri, landlords are required to provide habitable housing and tenants may have grounds to break their lease if this is not provided.Full Conversation
we found mold in our house we rent. This happened the end of June. Now he doesn’t want us to find us housing and we have been in a hotel since then
What state are you currently residing in, ****? This will help me provide you with the most accurate information regarding tenant rights and landlord responsibilities.
Missouri
What steps have you taken so far to address this issue with your landlord?
The landlord knows about the issue. He is waiting for his insurance company. He told us that he will no longer be paying for a hotel after today.
Have you reported this issue to your local health department or housing authority? In Missouri, landlords are required to maintain habitable housing.
The health department says that they don’t deal with mold issues.
What type of lease agreement do you have with your landlord?
In Missouri:
- Landlords are required to provide habitable housing.
- Tenants can withhold rent if the landlord fails to do so.
Our lease is good through February *
Have you documented the mold issue and your communication with the landlord? In Missouri, it's crucial to have evidence when dealing with such issues.
yes we have everything documented.
Have you consulted with a local attorney or legal aid service about this issue? In Missouri, tenants may be able to break their lease without penalty in certain circumstances.
Yes we have and nobody wants to represent us because of the mold issue
What reasons did the attorneys give for not wanting to represent your case?
In Missouri, tenants have the right to a habitable dwelling. If the landlord fails to provide this, tenants may have grounds to break their lease.
they say it’s hard to tell if the mold is the landlord responsibility
What type of mold is present and what caused it? This can help determine if it's due to structural issues (landlord's responsibility) or tenant's lifestyle (tenant's responsibility).
Black mold and there was a water leak from the hvac unit…or it could be from the previous owner because they were hoarders. Mold is throughout the whole house. We had mold test done with results of mold present.
Have you informed your landlord about the mold test results? In Missouri, landlords are responsible for fixing issues that make the property uninhabitable, like mold.
Yes
He has a copy of the results
Do I need to find an attorney locally?
Yes, it's generally beneficial to find a local attorney as they would be familiar with your state's laws and local court procedures.
ok thanks
Have you considered contacting Missouri's Attorney General's Office or a local tenant rights organization for assistance?
In Missouri:
- Tenants can report housing issues to the Attorney General's Office.
- Local tenant rights organizations may provide legal assistance or resources.
Yes and the Attorney general office has not responded yet
What is the response from the local tenant rights organization?
In Missouri:
- Tenants can sue landlords for damages related to uninhabitable conditions.
- Legal Aid of Western Missouri: *-*-*.
was not aware of the organization
You can reach out to Legal Aid of Western Missouri at *-*-* for assistance with your situation. They specialize in housing issues and tenant rights.
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