Am I or landlord responsible for closet mold in rental apartment?« Back to Previous Page

The responsibility typically falls on the landlord to repair the underlying cause and the tenant to address the resulting damage, but the specific cause dictates who pays. In JLT's high humidity, this is a common issue. Your first step is to formally notify your landlord or property management company in writing with photos.

The landlord is generally responsible for fixing structural issues causing the moisture, such as a leak in the external wall, faulty insulation, or a problem with the building's central AC system leading to excess condensation. They must arrange for the leak repair and may need to handle the mold remediation if it's extensive.

As the tenant, you are typically responsible for damage resulting from your lifestyle, such as lack of air circulation or excessive moisture generation inside the apartment. However, demonstrating you've used a dehumidifier or kept the AC running can strengthen your position.

Before repainting, the mold must be professionally remediated to prevent it from returning. Simply wiping it or painting over it will fail. For a closet, the source is likely the high ambient humidity and lack of airflow. Improve circulation by leaving the door ajar, using a small desiccant dehumidifier inside, and ensuring your apartment's AC is running consistently to manage humidity levels, even when you're out.

For verification and to resolve disputes, a professional inspection can identify the exact moisture source. This provides an objective report for you and your landlord to determine liability and the correct fix.