"Family claims their home was lost due to landlord's negligence in maintaining the property, rendering them homeless"
Iowa Family Battles Black Mold Infestation in Rental Home
Sarahmarie Grendler and her family are currently homeless after being displaced from their rental home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, due to a severe black mold infestation. The Grendler family has lived in the house for four years, but the mold was first discovered in May, and it led to Sarahmarie's hospitalization in July.
The city inspector found water damage, cracks in the foundation, and exposed electrical wiring in the Grendler family's home, and the property was deemed too dangerous to live in. The city placarded the home, meaning no one could live there until repairs were made.
Landlord Robert Tri did not fix the mold issue, and he left a note for the Grendler family asking for this month's rent despite the placard barring people from living at the home. The family has a GoFundMe set up to accept donations to help them during this difficult time.
The Grendler family's doctor confirmed high levels of black mold in Sarahmarie's system, and her oxygen level was at 77 upon hospital admission, requiring her to be put on a ventilator.
Landlord-Tenant Laws and Black Mold in Iowa
In Iowa, if a rental home is infested with black mold and becomes uninhabitable, tenants are typically protected under tenant protection laws, and landlords have certain legal responsibilities to maintain a safe and habitable living environment.
Landlords must keep rental properties in habitable condition, which includes addressing hazards like black mold that affect tenant health. Tenants have the right to report unsafe conditions like mold growth, and if the landlord fails to act in a timely manner after notification, tenants may pursue legal remedies such as withholding rent, suing for damages, or terminating the lease.
If the mold causes health issues, tenants should have medical confirmation documenting the impact, reinforcing the case for landlord negligence. If the mold renders the home unlivable, tenants may seek compensation for damages related to displacement, including costs for temporary housing.
Under US landlord-tenant laws, tenants who report health and safety violations like black mold often have protections against eviction for complaining or withholding rent.
What Tenants Can Do
If you find yourself in a similar situation, here are some practical steps you can take:
- Notify the landlord in writing about the black mold and demand immediate remediation.
- Document mold conditions with photos and keep records of all communications.
- Obtain medical documentation linking mold exposure to health problems if applicable.
- Contact local housing or health departments for inspections and enforcement.
- Consult an attorney experienced in Iowa landlord-tenant or housing law to explore options such as repair-and-deduct, rent withholding, lease termination, or damage claims.
While the specific Iowa statutes were not directly cited in the search results, consulting a local attorney or Iowa legal resources would provide tailored guidance and up-to-date laws. However, legal frameworks for housing habitability typically include protections relevant to black mold exposure and tenant displacement from unsafe rental homes.
- In situations where a rental property in Iowa is infested with black mold, making it uninhabitable, tenants can seek protection under landlord-tenant laws, as landlords have legal responsibilities to maintain a safe living environment.
- Tenants facing black mold infestations should document the mold conditions with photographs and maintain records of all communication with their landlord for potential use in legal proceedings.
- If health issues arise due to mold exposure, tenants should obtain medical documentation linking the issues to the mold for added evidence of negligence.
- In addition to taking these measures, tenants can contact local housing or health departments for inspections and enforcement, and consult with an experienced Iowa landlord-tenant or housing attorney to explore various options like repair-and-deduct, rent withholding, lease termination, or damage claims.
