Tenant Sues Landlord for $4.3 Million due to Mold Contamination

In January, the Knoxville News Sentinel published a story about a couple who have filed a $4.3 million lawsuit against their landlord because of exposure to mold in their rental home. According to the article, the lawsuit alleges the mold exposure caused pneumonia and other breathing problems and that when the landlord was approached about the moldy conditions the tenants were intimidated to not seek any legal action.

This case highlights the importance of inspecting a property before signing a lease or rental agreement. Landlords and tenants are bound to deal truthfully when negotiating a lease so prospective tenants should ask about issues dealing with chemicals, past flooding events, mold, sewage contamination, asbestos, lead, radon and vapor intrusion.

“It’s important for both landlords and potential tenants to do their homework with regards to potential indoor and outdoor environmental concerns at a property being considered for a lease,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “This includes talking with the landlord and researching the residential or commercial building’s prior use. Hiring an environmental professional to perform an inspection and environmental testing is a consideration for many. There are also consumer-oriented test kits that can quickly identify such common contaminants as mold, lead and a wide range of indoor allergens.”

People looking to rent a home or commercial property can turn to EMSL Analytical for comprehensive indoor environmental testing services to help determine if mold or other contaminants and pollutants are in a property. EMSL offers easy-to-use test kits for everything from common allergens and mold to lead, radon, methamphetamine residues, vermiculite, bed bugs, drinking water and smoke residues. For access and more information about any of these test kits, please visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.  

To learn more about indoor environmental quality testing or other environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality, consumer product and materials testing services and products for professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies. 

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail