Local Health Officer Training

Section 5: Solving the Problem

The First Follow up and follow through

No Response from the Owner

If you have not received a call or a letter from the owner since your last conversation five days ago and you do not know what the owner intends to do to resolve the issue, it is time you follow-up with the owner. . Visit the property with someone to confirm what happens. Locate the tenant and speak to him/her to find out if he/she is aware of what might be happening.

If the problem has not been resolved and the tenant knows nothing, find the owner and ask what his/her plans are.

Talking Points

1. Tell the owner you had expected a phone call as to what he/she is going to do.
2. It is now time to find out, as specifically as possible, what the owner plans to do.
3. Remind the landlord of the authority the law gives the town and that you are prepared to use that authority.
4. Inform the owner that you will be delivering a letter to him regarding an extension of seven days in which to correct the problem.  In the event that the owner refuses to correct the problem, the town officials may decide to correct the problem at the owner's expense. On the other hand, the town may not pursue the matter because of the town's budget limitations.
5. Emphasize that the mold cleanup and repairs must be done correctly. If it is not done properly the mold will recur, which will again be the owner's responsibility.
6. Depending on the facts surrounding the mold problem, both the landlord and the tenant may have to share the expense of making the repairs. (For instance, if the tenant actually caused the problem, the owner may not be responsible for the entire repair tenant.]

The more you understand a problem, the better you are able to identify the solution.

Mold cleanup and removal can be simple - accomplished by washing easily cleanable surfaces and removing un-cleanable material like rough wood surfaces. On the other hand, the area of the mold may be imbedded in the walls and floor boards requiring the employment of a professional contractor.

If and after this second request to abate, the landlord has neither completed the work, or he now refuses to abate the mold problem, you are required to inform the landlord that you will inform the town council as to the status of the situation. If, the town council decides to intervene in the mold abatement, the owner will have to reimburse the town for all monies it spent.

 

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