What Responsibilities Does an HOA Have if a Resident Finds Mold in their Unit?

Mold is one of a homeowner’s and HOA’s biggest nightmares. It is difficult and costly to remove. If a resident informs you that there is mold in their unit, what should the HOA do?

Where Does Mold Come From?

Mold typically enters a home through windows, ventilation systems, doors, or even by attaching itself to a person or pet. Mold loves moisture, so it will grow rapidly in areas that have high moisture content due to water infiltration, such as from a flood or leak. On top of this, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many modern building materials, such as “wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds.”[1]

Why Is Mold Problematic?

Mold is unsightly. It creates a musty, stale smell in the home. Most importantly, mold can cause severe health problems. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), mold can cause allergic reactions, asthma, and can secrete toxic substances, called mycotoxins[2].

How Should an HOA Respond to a Complaint about Mold?

The situation for freestanding houses in an HOA is different than for a high-rise condo building. In an HOA composed of freestanding houses, typically, if there is mold in a resident’s house, it is their responsibility to remediate it. If there is mold in a common area, it is the HOA’s responsibility.

In a condo building, the situation is not always clear-cut due to shared walls and ventilation systems. If a resident complains about mold, the HOA should immediately investigate and determine its cause. Some common causes include a leaky roof or windows, faulty plumbing systems, or another resident whose bathtub or toilet overflowed. Once the source of the problem is identified, it should be fixed. Then, work with a licensed mold remediation company to dry out the damp areas and remove the mold.

Who Pays for the Mold Remediation?

In some cases, insurance will pay for mold remediation. However, many insurance companies now exclude mold unless it was caused by certain conditions. Depending on the specifics of the situation, the cost may be borne by either the HOA or the homeowner responsible for it. It may be necessary for the HOA to seek legal counsel about how to handle payment. However, it is important to remove the mold right away, even if the HOA and affected homeowners are still in discussions about who is responsible for paying. Delaying treatment will only increase its costs.

Dealing with mold is a problem that many Florida HOAs face. Fortunately, CCM has extensive experience in this area. We have relationships with the top licensed mold mitigation companies in the state. We are experienced with delicately addressing the situation when a resident is at-fault for the mold. Call us today to learn how our property managers can help proactively develop mold mitigation procedures for your buildings.

Consolidated Community Management (CCM) is a full-service property management company specializing in condominium and homeowner association management in Broward and southern Palm Beach Counties.  We are committed to working together with community Boards of Directors to develop management plans tailored to the unique requirements of each community and their residents.

CCM provides a quality of service that is unique to our industry and consistently delivers a distinct competitive advantage.  Our concentrated, extensive local presence and knowledge of community associations results in lasting partnerships and superior service.  We have built our industry reputation on employing the best in the business and assigning only a limited number of properties to each Property Manager Team.

Our team at Consolidated Community Management provides expert property management services at competitive prices.  Contact us today by calling (954) 718-9903 or clicking on ccmfla.com.

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Basic Facts about Mold and Dampness | CDC. Accessed September 24, 2021.

[2] Environmental Protection Agency. Can mold cause health problems? | US EPA. Accessed September 24, 2021.