Property Got Mold? Tenants Could Sue

12/10/2020 (Permalink)

Filing mold insurance claims is key to avoiding a potential lawsuit down the road

Property Got Mold? Tenants Could Sue

As a property manager in San Diego, CA, you have a lot of daily to-dos to keep the property in tip-top shape and tenants happy. While regular inspections should be done, sometimes the unexpected happens, such as a piper burst that requires a mold damage mitigation and restoration professional. When that happens, filing mold insurance claims is key to avoiding a potential lawsuit down the road.

Reasons for Suing
Although some issues may be caused by the tenant, when it comes to mold, it is often more associated with structural issues. If there has been an ongoing leak that you just haven’t gotten to, mold insurance claims will likely get you nowhere. Instead, if the tenant’s property is damaged, you may end up having to pay for their belongings to be cleaned. Below are viable reasons a tenant could sue:

• Ongoing water issues have not been addressed in a timely manner.
• The tenant has incurred expenses trying to mitigate the issue on their own.
• Property and household goods have been damaged.
• Mold has caused the property to be inhabitable.

Mitigate the Risk
No property manager wants to face any kind of lawsuit. To avoid that, mold remediation should always be a top priority. Whenever an inspection is done, always be extra diligent regarding areas prone to mold or mildew growth, such as showers, windows, washing machines, plumbing, roofs, basements and entryways. It is also a good idea to communicate regularly with tenants and encourage them to have safe habits to reduce the potential for mold and call whenever there is a leak. Most importantly, if a major water loss happens, make a mold claim and get it taken care of before it becomes an even bigger headache.
If left unchecked, mold insurance claims may not provide the most desired results. Staying on top of property management and communicating with tenants are key ways to avoid mold problems from spreading or lawsuits from happening.