Story Published: May 22, 2007 at 11:50 PM PDT
Story Updated: Oct 11, 2007 at 8:34 PM PDT
PORTLAND, Ore. - A Team 2 investigation into mold has ignited a frenzy of responses from people saying they too are plagued with the problem.
KATU News visited homes and apartments, finding tenants literally sick of mold. From Portland to Vancouver to St. Helens, we heard similar stories and heard reports of similar symptoms.
So what does the law say about mold? According to Chapter 90 of the Oregon Revised Statutes, "...a landlord shall at all times... maintain the dwelling unit in a habitable condition..."
The revised statutes do not directly address mold, but Portland Property Maintenance Code does. Under Title 29 of the code, the rental should be "...maintained reasonably free of dampness to prevent mold."
However, all of the apartments and homes KATU News visited had issues with dampness and evidence of mold.
Even in a 55+ apartment complex in King City where the rent is more than $1,000 a month, mold was everywhere in one apartment. Tests showed high concentrations of mold in Ginny Kuchta's bathroom and even higher levels in her bedroom.
When we asked her what the landlord's response was, she said "nothing." "If I had not hired the moisture inspectors, there still would not be anything done," she said.
KATU News went looking for her landlord, Mike McKenna, at his Lake Oswego home, but he was not willing to talk. However, after we pressed him, he eventually came out and told us there is no problem at King City Apartments, where Kuchta lives.
"There is one lady who had a bathroom leak and didn't report it," McKenna said. "We fixed it. Everything's fine there."
Kuchta's apartment now looks safe and smells mold-free thanks to air filtration systems placed around the unit, but photos of recent work done on the building show just how bad the mold was and Kuchta says dark areas forming around her shower show the mold is coming back with a vengeance.
"It's a constant battle of trying to stay ahead of the game," she said.
The Portland Metro Rental Association says it recommends all of its landlords repair all verified mold problems thoroughly.
"What I tell landlords in both my business and as Association President is you need to take care of your property," said Mark Passannante. "Be aware of it. It is your property. Somebody is living there, but it is also your property and your responsibility."
With more than 1,500 complaints a year, the Portland City Council is now considering beefing up its laws to protect tenants from mold.
"We basically think we do need some stronger enforcement because the fines aren't enough," said City Commissioner Erik Sten. "There is an epidemic of asthma with children right now and we know that mold is part of it.
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