Note: Information provided by the Community Alliance of Tenants is for general educational use only and is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

In Oregon’s wet climate, mold can be a big problem for many people.  If there’s mold in your apartment, here are some things to think about:

• Mold happens when there’s lots of moisture and/or air that can’t circulate.  So anything you can do to keep things dry and keep air moving will help keep mold from growing.  Running bathroom and kitchen fans when you’re using those rooms is one thing that helps.
• If mold does form, you can try washing the areas with a bleach solution and trying to get some air to the areas
• Follow all the steps to getting repairs done as outlined in our repairs handout.

Does my landlord have to clean up the mold in my apartment?

According to ORS 90.320, the landlord must keep your place and the common areas in good repair.  This means that the unit must not substantially lack (among other things) effective waterproofing and weather protection and good ventilation.  So your landlord should be responsible for taking care of the more common situations that create mold.

Some landlords have asked tenants to sign mold and mildew addendums that require a tenant to do various things to help keep mold from growing, and say that a landlord is not responsible for any mold that does grow.  It’s not clear if these addendums are legal or not- the landlord might be trying to get out of their obligations, but it hasn’t been through court, so only a judge could say for certain.  If your landlord gives you one of these addendums and you want to refuse to sign it, you should be sure to talk with an attorney who agrees to represent you in eviction court before you refuse.

NEW!! Relocation Assistance for Households in Portland with Mold Problems
Money Available to Help Renters Move to Healthy Homes! The City of Portland is providing relocation assistance services to low-income renters living in units with severe mold problems.

 If your family size is: 
 Your income must be below: 
1
$23,750
2
$27,150
3
$30,550
4
$33,950
5
$36,650
6
$39,400
7
$42,100
8
$44,800

Eligibility:

• Household must reside in the City of Portland
• Household income must be below 50% median family income (see chart)
• At least one person in the household must have a written statement by a healthcare professional stating that they possibly have a condition that may be caused or aggravated by mold

Steps to Take to Qualify:
1. Make a written request to your landlord to repair the problem that is causing the mold.  In order to receive assistance, the household must have tried to solve the problem with their landlord by requesting that the landlord repair the causes of mold growth.  Requests must be in writing, and tenant must give the landlord adequate opportunity to the fix the problem.  Keep a copy of your written requests. 

2. Call the City Inspector and tell them you want an inspector to inspect your unit.  The number is 503-823-7306.  The City Inspector must cite mold as a code violation.

3. Once you have written a letter to your landlord, called the inspector and have the mold cited as a code violation, and received a written statement from your doctor call CAT at 503-460-9702 in order to be referred.

Available Assistance:
You may qualify for assistance to cover the following relocation costs:
1. Cost to pay for a temporary place to live (up to 30 days)
2. New rental application fees
3. Move-in costs such as security and cleaning deposits
4. Moving expenses