Mold can cause several health issues, including allergy symptoms. While discoloration of surfaces is usually the first noticeable thing associated with mold, it can also cause structural damage. Since mold thrives in damp and humid conditions, remediation is often costly. In this article, we explain who pays for mold inspection, including the roles of homeowners and landlords.
Who Pays for Mold Inspection
One of the most asked questions when it comes to the issue of mold in homes is who pays for the inspection and remediation. While this may not always be clear, the responsibility usually depends on whether you are the landlord, homeowner, or renter. Let’s have a look at the responsibility of each party:
Are Landlords Responsible for Paying for Mold Remediation?
The responsibility for mold remediation usually depends on the cause of the mold. The landlords are responsible for keeping their properties free of mold. However, this does not mean that landlords are automatically responsible for mold remediation expenses. For instance, the responsibility associated with mold remediation costs due to a lack of ventilation in bathrooms during use, or not reporting plumbing issues, lies with the tenant. However, mold caused by structural issues of the home becomes the responsibility of the landlord. Similarly, if a tenant has reported an issue such as a leaky window or roof that ended up causing mold, and you did not fix it, then the mold becomes your responsibility.
What is the Responsibility of a Renter in Mold Remediation?
Tenants or renters are generally not responsible for mold remediation costs. The exemption for this is whether the mold was caused by the direct negligence of the tenant or failure to report moisture issues to the landlord. Some of the responsibilities of tenants in preventing mold include:
- Ventilating rooms where humidity builds up
- Cleaning up spills and excess water
- Reporting leaks and plumbing issues in a timely manner
If you are a tenant and mold grows out of something that you did, either due to negligence or accident, then the landlord can argue that you are responsible for cleaning up. Mold caused by a leaky roof or window, or even a plumbing issue, are usually covered by the tenant if they failed to report the underlying issue to the landlord to get it fixed.
Is Mold Remediation Covered by Insurance?
Among the concerns that homeowners have is whether their insurance covers mold. Generally, homeowners insurance covers mold caused by a covered peril. This means any accidental or sudden event that is covered by the insurance policy. Depending on your current policy, the coverage may include:
- Water damage from a burst pipe
- Water damage caused by extinguishing a fire
- Roofing leaks
- Broken water heater
- Other plumbing leaks
When such events happen to you, you can file a mold claim. However, do not try to remove or clean up the mold by yourself before the insurance company sends a claim adjuster to inspect your home. To determine whether your claim will be honored, the insurance company may look for issues such as a leaky sink that was never repaired or a lack of ventilation and humidity issues in the home.
If the insurance company honors your claim, it will pay for mold remediation. However, they may not cover the entire cost depending on the type and extent of mold. For instance, some home insurance policies only cover mold remediation of up to $10,000, while you cover the rest from your pocket. Therefore, it is best to first check your insurance policy and any limits placed so you can plan accordingly and consult the right mold remediation company.
Hire Reliable Mold Inspection Experts
The mold issue requires a quick response in remediation to prevent unnecessary damage to your property and health risks for its occupants. At the Mold Inspection Canary, we help landlords, homeowners, and tenants determine whether their homes have mold. Get in touch with us today for any inquiries or book a comprehensive inspection of your home.
