Guides / Mold in a rental

Mold in your apartment? How to get your landlord to fix it

Mold usually means a moisture problem, like a leak, a broken bathroom fan, or poor drainage. In most states, landlords must keep rentals in livable condition, and a written repair request is the first and most important step.

1. Document the mold and the moisture

Take dated photos and video of the mold, any water stains, leaks, or condensation, and damaged belongings. Note where it is, how large the area is, and when you first saw it. If anyone in your home has symptoms you think are related, keep notes and any doctor’s records.

2. Find the likely source

Mold grows where there is ongoing moisture. Look for roof or plumbing leaks, a broken exhaust fan, clogged gutters, or water coming in around windows. Cleaning the surface without fixing the moisture usually means the mold comes back. The EPA’s brief guide to mold and moisture explains common causes.

3. Notify your landlord in writing

Call or message if it is urgent, but always follow up in writing. Describe the mold, where it is, the suspected cause, and when you noticed it. Ask the landlord to fix the moisture source and remove the mold, and give a reasonable deadline. Keep a copy and send it in a way you can prove, like email or certified mail.

4. Know your rights

There is no federal standard for mold levels in homes, so the rules come from your lease, your state’s habitability laws, and local housing codes. Most states require landlords to keep rentals livable and to repair leaks and plumbing. Some states and cities treat significant mold as a code or habitability violation. Many states also protect tenants from retaliation, like a rent increase or eviction notice, for asking for repairs.

5. Escalate if it is not fixed

If the landlord does not respond, contact your local code enforcement or housing inspection office and ask for an inspection. A local tenant union or legal aid office can explain options such as rent escrow, repair-and-deduct, or ending the lease. These remedies have strict rules and vary by state, so check before you withhold rent. HUD lists tenant rights by state.

What your letter should include

• Your name, the rental address, and your unit number
• Where the mold is and roughly how large the area is
• The suspected moisture source (leak, fan, window)
• When you first noticed it and any earlier reports
• A request to fix the source and remove the mold by a clear deadline
• A note that you have photos and are keeping copies

Keep a copy of everything you send, and note the date you sent it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I clean the mold myself?

The EPA says you can generally clean a small area (under about 10 square feet) yourself, using gloves and ventilation. Larger areas, or mold caused by sewage or contaminated water, are best handled by a professional. Either way, tell your landlord so the moisture source gets fixed.

Can I stop paying rent because of mold?

Do not withhold rent without checking your state’s rules first. Some states allow rent escrow or repair-and-deduct only after written notice and a waiting period. Withholding rent the wrong way can lead to eviction.

Can I break my lease because of mold?

In some states, a serious habitability problem the landlord will not fix can let you end the lease. Our guide to breaking a lease early covers how to ask in writing.