Take the mold complaint seriously when it's reported. Don't leave it forever, otherwise you could find yourself being sued for negligence and mold damages. When in doubt about the source of the mold, seek independent expert opinion from a registered professional.

Shouldn't use rhe word mold unless you have verify through testing. Yes it should be taken seriously and treated as if it is, but without using the word. Moisture damage or discoloration should be the term being used. Use these terms will most of the time ease the situation and allows you to treat and clean.

To address a tenant’s mold complaint, I would promptly acknowledge the concern and arrange for a professional inspection to determine the cause. If it’s due to a maintenance issue, I’d fix the root problem and hire a certified mold remediation company to handle cleanup. Throughout the process, I’d keep the tenant informed and provide tips to prevent future issues, ensuring the property is safe and habitable.

Some tenants are concerned about the mold spore level in the air of the apartment and sometimes will even pay to have the unit’s air tested for dangerous spores. Whoever does the testing, it is important to know that mold spores are always in the air. To know if there are elevated amounts in the unit, air sampling must take place both inside the unit and outside of the building. Only dangerous mold spore counts inside the unit that are higher than outside would be a concern. Doing an air test inside only will not lead to conclusive results.

Thank you to the tenants for promptly reporting this issue. It’s important that the homeowner and property manager visit the property as soon as possible to assess the situation. Afterward, bring in professional remediation experts to develop a plan to address the problem. Typically, a water leak needs to be fixed first, followed by remediation efforts. The good news is that not all mold issues are the same—small areas can often be resolved with a simple fix after identifying the water source. As a last resort, consider reaching out to homeowner’s insurance, but be aware that mold claims can stay on record for years. Keep tenants informed throughout the process.