Around 20 million rental properties are scattered around the United States, each requiring careful maintenance to ensure a habitable and safe living space. Your role as a landlord can include all kinds of daily tasks to ensure this livability, and that includes checking regularly for mold growth.
Whenever a tenant calls in about potential indoor mold creeping around the kitchen, laundry room, or bathroom, you want to address the issue before it turns into a health risk. Otherwise, you risk the growth of mold which can result in health hazards as well as expensive mold remediation. As a landlord, understanding mold and knowing how to get a free mold inspection should be at the top of your list.
But first, it's important to know the difference between a free mold inspection and a general mold assessment. Here is what you need to know about mold inspections so you can manage current issues the right way—and avoid mold infestations for the long-term.
What to Consider When Getting a Free Mold Inspection?
Every rental is different depending on the unit type, the climate, etc. What is best practice for one set of units may not apply to another? However, getting mold testing is a good start in informing you of your risk and outlining what steps you should take next.
#1 – Find a Credible Mold Inspector
Not all free mold inspections are created equal. Keep in mind that many mold remediation companies will offer inspections as a deal so that they can secure future mold remediation work. Before you schedule a mold inspection, ensure the team you’re working with maintains local certifications and has a strong reputation for removal as well as customer service.
You should expect a certified mold inspector to have credentials like a membership in the National Association of Mold Remediators and Inspectors (NORMI) and the National Association of Mold Professionals.
When in doubt, ask other property managers or people in your area for recommendations.
#2 – Check for Hidden Mold
Plenty of mold issues in your units will not be immediately visible. Aside from getting a professional mold inspection, consider doing a self-check for hidden mold behind washing units, under carpets, or in the bathrooms. Without a regular and thorough inspection, mold growth and spores can take over and negatively affect your tenants and their indoor air quality.
#3 – Indoor Air Quality Testing
Any professional mold inspection should include air samples. The risk of floating mold spores determines the severity of mold contamination and whether or not you need more drastic measures like mold remediation.
#4 – Assess the Scope of the Inspection
Different mold inspectors offer varying home inspections. There is a big difference between governmental industrial hygienists who will conduct all kinds of mold testing compared to a new company that only offers free visual inspections. The greater the diversity of mold tests, the better informed you’ll be moving forward.
You can sometimes wrap in a free mold inspection with your full property inspection of a unit before renting it back out again. Access to an empty space where you don’t have to work around the tenant’s schedule ensures you get more in-depth results to quickly manage the problem and maintain a high occupancy rate.
How to properly conduct a property inspection
What Are the Differences Between a Free Mold Inspection and a Mold Assessment?
A free mold inspection aims to get a surface-level idea of what potential mold growth could occur in a property. Experts will walk through a property, look at any risky physical signs, and finish the entire inspection in about 1-2 hours. This includes:
- Visual inspection for visible mold growth.
- Identifying common issues like water leaks and moisture problems.
- Supplying basic recommendations to manage mold issues.
However, you often won’t get any free air samples or laboratory mold testing with a free mold inspection. This is considered a first-step approach before moving onto a thorough mold assessment.
During a complete mold assessment, a professional mold inspector with a background similar to someone from the Environmental Protection Agency or American Industrial Hygiene Association will conduct mold testing. The report you receive outlines what you’ll need to do for full mold cleanup and identify the type of mold infestation (black mold, white mold, etc.), including:
- Mold testing for hidden mold and mold spores.
- Air samples that look at indoor air quality.
- Detailed reporting with findings and remediation suggestions.
- Mold infestation identification.
Starting with a free mold inspection is a great way to assess your rental unit's risk of mold. It ensures you are aware of mold problems and are actively following the recommended steps via the CDC to complete cleanup or remediation.
What Are the Questions to Ask During a Free Mold Inspection?
Free mold inspections involve careful attention to many aspects of your building. They can also set off some fears with your renters, so you should clarify a few things before agreeing and sending out communication to your tenants. Being well-informed of all the processes about to happen keeps everyone on your landlord team on the same page.
It may help to review any renter’s insurance you offer as well. There may be clauses pertaining to mold inspections and mold remediation. Even if you don’t use these resources, being prepared doesn’t hurt anything.
Here are some questions to ask during a free mold inspection:
- What specific areas of the property will the inspectors be occupying or viewing?
- Do the mold inspectors check for toxic infestations like black mold?
- Will this mold inspection include mold testing at a lab or just a visual check?
- Can you provide a detailed written report of what you found and the next steps to take?
- If you detect mold, how can we move forward with mold removal or remediation?
- How long will your free mold inspection take?
Whoever you get to complete the inspection, be sure they have strong communication. Transparency and trust go a long way to building strong future business relationships should your mold be recurring due to shifting seasons, frequent flooding, or high humidity.
Common Causes of Mold Growth in Rental Properties
In the vast majority of cases, mold removal happens because of something letting in water, humidity, or moisture. Even when doing something as simple as teaching a new team member how to get rid of dust in a room, you could accidentally shift a pipe under a sink that leads to mold in the future.
Knowing your surroundings and checking the common areas where mold may occur is a good way to stay on top of the problem. Some of the more common situations include:
- Water Leaks & Plumbing Issues: Unchecked water leaks due to shifting pipes, roofs leaking, or broken appliances, creating the perfect environment for mold growth. Be sure to conduct regular property inspections to prevent expensive mold damage cleanup.
- Poor Basement Waterproofing: Plenty of units have either basement access or below-ground spaces. You can expect indoor mold growth whenever those areas have poor basement waterproofing.
- High Humidity Levels: Excessive humidity is common in southern regions or when shifting from winter to spring. These higher levels promote mold spores and visible mold growth. Installing dehumidifiers in at-risk areas and ensuring you have proper ventilation helps.
- Poor Ventilation in Bathrooms & Kitchens: You must have your bathrooms and kitchens vented correctly. These are excessively damp areas, so educate your tenants on the use of exhaust fans over ranges and during showers. Be sure everyone reports musty odors as quickly as they are detected.
A lot of landlord problems begin because tenants won’t communicate issues before they get out of hand. Do your best to maintain an open line of communication with quick and easy in-person and online reporting to ensure you get a heads-up before mold becomes a much bigger issue.
The Risks of Ignoring Mold Problems
It's important to not let mold complaints be ignored. Over time, your mold problem may grow, leading to dangerous levels that result in expensive mold cleanup and remediation. Not to mention, the damage to property, furniture, and infrastructure. The risks of ignoring mold problems include:
- Mold exposure that puts your tenant’s health at risk of more severe conditions and illness.
- Mold contamination spreading from one unit to another or into common living spaces.
- Legal liability should any tenants decide to sue over unsafe environmental conditions.
- Mold infestations that make your vacant units next to impossible to rent out.
Getting ahead of mold problems sooner rather than later decreases your risk of damage and keeps tenants safe and happy
What to Do If Your Property Needs Mold Remediation
Dealing with a mold problem and scheduling a free mold inspection requires immediate action. After you’ve received a report about your mold growth, you should hire a mold remediation firm for professional cleanup. These experts will follow recognized industry and health standards for safe mold cleanup.
You may also want to hire a contractor for a home inspection that considers structural damage. Certified mold inspectors will usually recommend this anyway as part of their reporting, but having someone ready saves you a lot of long-term expenses.
Preventative Steps to Avoid Future Mold Issues
Once you’ve lived through a free mold inspection, you quickly learn how damaging this can be to your operations. To prevent such problems in the future, try and:
- Conduct regular property inspections so any moisture issues are uncovered long before they grow.
- Maintain good indoor air quality so mold spores cannot grow or spread.
- Educate your tenants on mold prevention, such as reporting leaks, using exhaust fans, and keeping a unit clean.
- Address any other household moisture issues, such as how to get rid of gnats in the bathroom or if there is high rain expected over the next few months.
We really cannot emphasize having a good relationship with your tenants enough. Professional interaction between you and the renters ensures you are well-informed about problems and can take appropriate action quickly.
Final Thoughts: Should You Get a Free Mold Inspection?
A free mold inspection is a handy first step in uncovering potential mold problems for your rental properties. Make sure to read the fine print and reviews of each company before committing.
Always hire out for a professional mold inspection if you see signs of mold. It's best to remain proactive with regular property inspections to prevent future mold damage. Make sure to maintain good communication with your tenants so they're aware of the situation and can report any issues they find.
Do you want to make property upkeep, including mold inspections, easier? Sign up for TenantCloud today and streamline property inspections, maintenance tracking, and tenant communication. Our all-in-one property management system provides the peace of mind you need.
