Black Mold Legal Recourse

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Summary

Landlords in Iowa must maintain habitable premises, including addressing mold issues. Tenants can terminate leases for health/safety noncompliance. Bathrooms without windows must have mechanical fans per the International Building Code. Consult a local attorney for specific advice.

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We have had black mold in the bathroom since we moved in our new apartment in august. We tried to clean it but it just keeps getting worse, after the most recent attempt, we all became physically ill. The bathroom in our apartment does not have a fan or a vent leading outside, and I was reviewing a couple building code rules and it doesn’t seem like that is allowed, so I was wondering if we have any legal power with that. We put in a maintenance request, and they cut a hole in our door, and did not clean all of the mold. The hole in the door is making the mold air come back into the apartment instead of venting outside.
Hello ****, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Could you please tell me where you are located? This will allow me to provide more accurate information about your legal rights and the local housing codes.
Ames, Iowa
Hello ****, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. In Iowa:
- Landlords are required to maintain fit premises (Iowa Code 562A.*)
- Tenants may terminate lease for noncompliance affecting health/safety (Iowa Code 562A.*)
Consult a local attorney for further advice.
Do apartment bathrooms require a mechanical fan
In Ames, Iowa, the International Building Code requires bathrooms without a window to have a mechanical fan for ventilation. It's best to consult a local attorney or your local building department for specific requirements in your area.