Seeking Advice On Mold Issues In My Apartment And How To Work With My Landlord
Hi everyone,
I moved into a 2 bed, 2 bath apartment in Colorado in late 2022. The unit didn't have AC until I installed a window AC unit in early summer 2023. The apartment, especially my bedroom, has always been extremely hot, even in winter when temperatures drop to single digits (Fahrenheit). Despite keeping my bedroom window open, it was unbearable to sleep some nights.
I first noticed mold by sight and smell in my bathroom around mid-late summer 2023. Before informing my landlord, I tried to clean it with RMR-86 and used a small dehumidifier in the bathroom, which filled its 62oz tank weekly. I cleaned the mold on my bathroom ceiling before leaving for a week-long vacation in early summer 2023. When I returned, I developed pneumonia and had to visit the ER.
I suspect the bathroom exhaust vents might be connected, as my bathroom gets more humid when my roommate showers. My bathroom is accessible only through my bedroom, and the door has gaps at the top and bottom, possibly allowing moisture and mold to reach my bedroom. There's no visible mold under my bedroom sink, but the smell is noticeable there, in my window AC unit, and from my computer after an hour of use.
The mold issue is affecting my sinuses, skin, eyes, and cognitive function. I prefer to stay here and resolve the problem with my landlord rather than move out or pursue legal action. My landlord has been accommodating so far.
Questions:
- How can I work with my landlord to get a mold inspection and remediation without paying out of pocket?
- What steps should I take to clean the mold from my window AC unit and computer?
- Could the gaps in the bathroom door contribute to moisture and mold spreading to my bedroom?
Any advice on how to navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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