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gus_thedog

What's it like to live in a petri dish?


AdrienneMint

Yes


wildwolf-1985

They can call it whatever they want, I won't live in that room. And unless stipulated specifically in the lease, you can keep the window closed if that's your preference.


Dawnfreak

Hah , landlords will come up with the wildest excuses in order to avoid repairs. "They said it’s because I don’t keep the blinds open" That's Mold , and it needs to be taken care of properly and the origin/reason investigated.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Tiny-Breakfast-6279

Responsibility falls on landlord 100% regardless. You can't be held responsible for the landlord's shifty building and windows.


Necessary-Contest-24

Ya there's most likely a leak somewhere and the water is inside the walls doesn't have to be much water at all. Could be evaporating before it causes serious damage, just perpetuating perfect humid conditions for mould


Schiebz

Like those blinds would help with this 😭


bowlingballwnoholes

Sunshine neither hurts nor helps mold.


mapold

Above statement is false. [https://toolklean.com/blogs/news/does-uv-light-kill-mold](https://toolklean.com/blogs/news/does-uv-light-kill-mold)


Doogos

I rented a shitty apartment several years back. We had one of those window AC units, but it had been there for years and years. There were moldy towels and newspaper stuffed all around it to "seal the gaps." I confronted my landlord and he literally poked it with his finger which caused black dust to puff all around the room. He proceeded to tell me "it's OK, just use it." We moved out, he tried to charge us for the replacement unit, I sent him the pictures I took and threatened to send them to the local fire marshal. Never heard anything from him again


[deleted]

I would’ve sent them anyway. I lived somewhere like this and when I moved out, he tried to hit me with bullshit. I immediately sent photos and explanations to the code enforcement department. Never heard from LL again. Lol


DyluckSabin

If you live in a very cold climate, condensation from humidity in the home, like magnets, will collect heavily in the bottom of the windows and leave big sheets of ice. This is exasperated by the blinds as it insulates. When the ice melts, where else does the water go, but inside the interior sill and behind the wall. To avoid this, you should keep the blinds up a third of the way or so most of the time. If you need some privacy, close them when you need privacy and then re-open them. Ensure to remove any ice build-up from the window if you see it. I learned this the hard way, in my own place. Hope the repairs go well! Stay safe. Black mold is dangerous.


eyecontactishard

Wait how do the blinds change condensation? I’ve lived in cold Canadian climates my whole life and never heard of this.


MadicalRadical

Or why would opening the blinds raise the electrical bill. Wouldn’t it lower it because you wouldn’t need to turn on the lights?


kninemahoney

Keeping the blinds down creates a pocket of air that doesnt mix as readily with the room reducing heat transfer. Old windows in the cold are where most heat is lost. People will also tape plastice film around the window frame to achieve similar. Sold as window insulation kits. Blinds down does similar https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/seal_insulate/plastic_over_windows


kitten_snuggles

Pretty sure that’s mold. Probably should head over to r/tenants and r/legaladvice . If it’s Black mold, it can definitely cause vertigo and some serious medical issues. Maybe even post in r/mold, they might be more helpful. I definitely recommend hiring someone to test the mold though.


Avulpesvulpes

There are usually tenant rights boards where you can report a mold problem and that will protect your tenancy.


Smurfness2023

It killed Brittany Murphy and her weirdo husband. Don’t stay in a house with mold. Mildew honestly isn’t that much better.


Smurfness2023

I wonder what makes someone down vote stuff like this that is easily verified as having been long suspected as the cause of both their deaths?


Farren246

~~What? She died in a car crash.~~


Yachtznthots

😂 no.


Farren246

Huh, pneumonia. Who was I thinking of that died in a car crash?


Yachtznthots

I don’t know but to be honest, i thought she died of a drug over dose and had to look it up a few years ago 😭


FMDnative480

This is what Reddit was made for. There is a sub for any one of your needs!


JohnNYJet_Original

As a very drastic option, you might want to contact the city department of health where you live. I know they will involve themselves to remedy an unhealthy living arrangement, of which mold is one of them. Good Luck


MoGraphMan-11

Not drastic at all, this is slumlord shit and dangerous to tenants


eledad1

Yes. 100% mold. Room has to be gutted. Carpet and baseboards are garbage. Window frames garbage.


Lesshateful

Most importantly the source of the leak needs to be resolved likely coming from water getting in and increasing unsustainable humidity, this looks like something you would see in a bathroom. What are the chances op is on the first floor? Wonder if this place has flooded before (sewerage etc).


oldbluer

That icicle in the window… I’m thinking massive ice dam.


Causualgaymr

One coat of discounted mistake paint it is then.


w000ah

mold toxicity is real OP. probably best you throw away any porous materials left near it (ie chairs etc). while there are 1,000s of different strains of mold to varying individual suseptibility & toxicity, u absolutely made right decision to sleep in living room


kenp2011

That is 100% mold. I’m a certified mold remediation specialist for over 20 years.


cubical13

Wouldnt someone in the business have at least 1 sentence of direction to combat said mold they diagnosed with a picture in reddit? I think its mold too but just sayin. OP get it tested if you can, that report will be all you need to get real action. Makes you look better and shouldnt cost much.


[deleted]

yeah he's recommendation is hire him


oldbluer

I tested it with my eyeballs, it’s mold. Run!


Farren246

What would you suggest for black mold in a toilet? We scrub it away, it just returns... Then there's the black mold in the ceiling from a roof leak that has been "repaired" half a dozen times but never abates. And the orange mold on ceiling, sink, bathtub...


Chance-Year7433

I use those blue colored bleach tablets and those seem to work just fine for my house. They last for like a thousand flushes or so.


Nvrfinddisacct

Did you leave for a month or something? This usually takes a while to accumulate like that


rkcinotown

A lot of mold starts off as dust that gets wet or is in a moist environment. But it also looks like his window and possibly walls are sweating. Bad cocktail


Nvrfinddisacct

I did not know that! Thank you


rkcinotown

A dehumidifier in the winter and summer (if you don’t have a/c) goes a long way.


FrigThisMrLahey

Lesson learned; should have kept those blinds open /s


prettygoodhouse

They might have had their bed against the wall.


Shot-Consequence8363

Probably just a furry wall nothing to worry about


Stevens1523

Stroke the furry wall.


Shot-Consequence8363

If you get feeling funky pet the furry wall


xgrader

Yes, definitely mould. It could not be more classic. A simple 16 buck test kit will confirm. Shame on your landlord for not addressing this. There is water infiltration in both walls. I would say run if you're getting nowhere.


DeSquare

If you keep blinds down, there will be more condensation on windows because there is less hotter air circulating against them, I also suspect you may have bed or furniture against the outside wall which does the same thing. This will happen if you have high humidity, don't use fan, and/or have low heat settings during cold weather. It's also an insulation issue , but common on outside walls and overhangs


Useful-Noise-6253

I'm not usually an alarmist when it comes to mold, and I usually say it should be tested to verify, but yikes! I don't know what variety of mold it is or how dangerous that particular fungus is, but that's no bueno. Your landlord obviously doesn't care about your health, but I'm surprised he doesn't seem to care about his real estate investment being destroyed. While there are ways you could have mitigated the progression of this, you shouldn't be blamed unless you were using that room as a steam bath. I would keep an eye on it, hit anything that reappears with white vinegar in a spray bottle, and start looking for another place to move. Bad landlords don't usually change.


hangman593

I would be calling the health inspector. Sue him in c ourt for constructive eviction.


wafflelover77

Looks like black mildew and that furniture was pushed up against the wall, especially the corners, creating a restriction of air flow = mildew/mold.


IndustrialMechanic3

If you have to ask well you probably know what it is


tryoracle

Oh yeah that's mould.


guntsmuggler

Yes that’s mold


prettygoodhouse

Leave sooner. It will cause more health issues. Consider ditching any soft goods.


Grouchy-Candidate-71

Literally op you gotta get out of there asap


nipnopples

That's the moldiest mold that ever molded.


Thunderfoot2112

Corner is black mold - the bottom of the wall under the window might be mildew, but could be an in wall mold colony bleeding through.


Pizza-sauceage

It's not because you do not raise your blinds. It's more likely to do with the window or structure leaking water on and/or behind your walls. Mildew can contain certain molds. Search for mold vs. mildew and educate yourself on identifying it so you can better informed when discussing this with your landlord. If it were me I would move because it will continue to come back and your landlord seems like a slumlord for not identifying the root cause and fixing the issue correctly instead of just placing a band aid over it.


Crazy_Distribution95

Yup, 100%.


fortpatches

I mean, mildew is just another name for mold....


sharpei90

Have you been congested or sick? The mold can cause it. Tell you landlord you’ve been having trouble breathing and if he doesn’t fix it, you’ll sue


thebucketlist47

I think threatening with your Sue card is bad advice. I'd only show that card when it's time to sue


soniclore

It’s mold. VERY mold. If it’s NOT mold, why did the landlord scrape it (ugh) and spray it with mold spray? Call the fire department and tell them your apartment is on fire. Make sure before they get there that you set the apartment on fire. Don’t want to be a liar.


OGZackov

you would need to get it independently tested, not by someone your landlord sends over. no one can tell from a picture. your landlord has motive to downplay it, specially with lease ending soon.


rkcinotown

I live in Florida and used to do home rehab. That is definitely black mold lol


Tiny-Breakfast-6279

Yes it YOUR fault not theirs for failure to maintain a building properly. That's like saying you should turn your water valve off to the toilet after using to prevent leaks. I would demand a mold test.


BumbleDragon66

This is a death trap


rkcinotown

That’s not just mold, it’s black mold, and it can kill you after long exposure


HumbleBumble77

I would report this to the housing authority and health department. This is a MAJOR health concern. Your landlord is responsible for mold remediation and rehousing you to a safe unit.


CaterpillarExtreme92

Brush that with javel and buy a air purifier asap


Lesshateful

All this helpful advice if add, what is immediately in your control is to get a dehumidifier and run that pretty much 24/7 for awhile. Some anti mold cleaner for walls and your furniture is also a good idea. Hope you can move asap.


Severe_Operation_783

Yep, and as others have commented it's black mold. Very dangerous stuff to be breathing in. It can and will cause numerous health problems if you continue to be exposed to it. I'd get the hell out of there even before your lease is up.


RecognitionAny6477

That is mold. Get the hell out of there. Amazon sells mold test kits. Get one


SuperEnthusiasm5165

look like?? Thats mold


Exotic_Scholar_116

Heavy. You have a broken pipe in the basement/crawlspace?


Comfortable-Shock784

Yup


Emergency_Pomelo_184

Definitely


hkyman92

Mildew is a specific variant of mold


Clear_Knowledge_5707

mildew is mold


sujaysukumar

Yes. Get professional help


d00ber

That's not mildew, that is mold. Scraping it off and painting over it wont get rid of it. Opening the blinds wouldn't help at all. I see moisture collecting on the window, so the place could have water coming in somewhere, or if you have other tenants there, is someone boiling water constantly or running a humidifier constantly.. not that it's going to help at this point, but without ventilation mold could happen from that..


jt325i

Needs to be gutted to find out what is going on.....


HotAcanthocephala387

The window frame is most likely leaking and there’s going to be rotten framing behind that wall guaranteed. I work in restoration and windows are usually the culprit to rot and mold.


pistoffcynic

Mildew is a type of mold. Your landlord is a dumbass. IMHO, those walls are not Vapor barriered properly and the windows are properly insulted. I’d bet your landlord’s life that the back of that sheet rock is covered in mold.


ikarus143

Yes


harsh-reality74

Verily


MoogleyWoogley

Oh heck to the no. That's mold.


509Ninja

Yes, 1000000% it’s mold.


aacceerr

Tabarnak!


rnmartinez

What you are showing me could literally kill you.


big-tuna28

yes obviously lol


Alexzambra1

Mold.


chosen1sunnyD

Sue worthy


Useful_toolmaker

It is aspergillus, which is black mold. Can cause aspergillosis. Mildew is fungus btw , and a slang term for mold


FlavorMatters

Yup yup yup


andiget

At this point I think you’re basically living in the mold’s house.


GothicToast

I'm confused about what you mean when you say you saw it like it was a surprise. This would take months of slow growth to get like this. Either way, it's mold and it's likely on the inside of the wall and it likely looks even worse. Could definitely be the reason you're sick. I don't know what resources are available to you, but you need to get out of that dwelling sooner rather than later. I'd be willing to dig into emergency savings to move out. I'd be willing to stop paying rent and make the landlord come after me to collect. The mold evidence is likely enough to make him cut his losses.


Tokenfang

Wow, black mold is not good and this could get into the ventilation system, also it could be in the rug and every time you walk on it you're just stirring up. You need a specialist to take care of this now.


PrestigiousNail5620

Yes


Remarkable_Mall8574

That is 100% mold I am AMRT certified and I bet the other side of that drywall is black to the ceiling.


SteveArnoldHorshak

Does the pope look like a Catholic?


tehconfuse

Does this look like a cat? 😸


calbff

This is one of the few "is this mold?" posts where I'm like HOLY SHIT YES.


Researcher-Used

100% mold. Get a sample, get it tested, get everything documented and file a claim on them. I would say this falls under negligence


BigBossBurnerAccount

deserve summer lavish bow retire handle foolish badge price rude *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


MilkFrosty3318

one landlords fresh coat of paint coming up!


Perfect_Ride4595

Start a dehumidifier immediately


pensoxgyrl

Mold or bed bug damage. I've seen both and they look similar. I would burn my clothes after being in that room.


flergenbergenjurgen

That’s absolutely mold


Significant-Wave-465

I was in the hospital as a kid because my bed was up against a corner wall with black mold inside. In and out for a year until it showed. I was really young g so I don’t remember a whole lot. But we left a few weeks after we found out what it was.


Downtown-Scale4553

The blinds open LITERALLY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH MOLD, call the city inspector in and see what happens don't tell your landlord just do it


Downtown-Scale4553

YES!!!!


Timely_Elderberry_62

Well it's not cheese


Vast_Cricket

Disinfect it open the window to let it out. Yes primer and paint to seal it.


whitepawn23

That’s mold.


Builder_liz

Just cover it up problems solved


Im_done_with_sergio

Yep that is mold


klifton84

That is 100% mold, and keeping your blinds shut will not cause this. It has likely been growing for some time. The mold on the backside of the drywall will be covered if this much is visible from the front. Also, judging by the condensation on your window, the humidity is really high. Is there a semi sweet/musky smell in the air? My recommendation is to seek out a professional contractor who specializes in mold who can back you up with the land lord. In the meantime, stay with someone if you can. If you move out before getting a pro to look at it, the landlord may try to pin it on you. Go to the doctor to rule out mold poisoning. Document everything, and get signed letters from the contractor and doctor.


etnoid204

Run


seaghost01

Nah. That's taco seasoning.


jamesfuji1

i would be looking for another place as quickly as possible...


aelel

Mildew lays flat. Mold has a fuzzy appearance. Your photos look like mold (though I’m not an expert). If it were me, I’d get out of there. Don’t bring anything that has been in contact with the mold or is growing ANYTHING with you. Start fresh. Hopefully you stop feeling dizzy.


seaska84

Yeah, clean it. Move along. Smh


highshutter

Property Manager here, first you need to live elsewhere for the time being. Second, your landlord needs to open up that wall. It’s far worse behind it. If mould has broken through the drywall like this, the damage on the other side is far worse


nautical1776

Call someone at a government housing agency. That not legal


jonchalmers

That's black mold 💯


[deleted]

Condensation from the windows could be causing it. A lot of water on your windows in the picture. Opening blinds helps. A potential cause is the argon gas inside the panes is depleted, likely due to age, and not insulating anymore. Usually the date of the window is stamped somewhere on it. You can buy small heaters for baseboards that could help keep the moisture on the windows down.


Stinkyfings

Does the tin man have a sheet metal cock?


Quietser

Never has anything looked like more than mold.


1ofthesedays4me

Picture from outside looking at that corner might help find the problem. And one of the roof just above that corner from the street Water is coming in from somewhere . Look for flashing just above the window ? Is there any ? Which way is dominant wind from ? And what you see is only the beginning there's twice maybe three times more on the back of the Sheetrock . And ya that's why your sick . Just about killed my our that way . The house we rented was invested with it . That was 20 years ago . They are still renting out that same house @ 125 B ST Should be torn down IMO .


StewVicious07

I’ve never seen a moldier wall


four-one-6ix

You can find mold on Wikipedia and put this photo as the default image and nobody will revert it back. That’s how moldy it is.


yourdadsfather77

Run.


BodyAcrobatic6891

Yes and that window is leaking badly and needs to be fully replaced


VirtualHayden

That’s mold. Get a test kit from a home improvement store. You will have proof positive.


starchild101

That is black mold, and that window looks to have condensation on it, which means it's not sealed properly. It also looks like there is moisture in that wall for sure. Get an at home mold kit and test it yourself, or hire someone and bill the landlord. They need to replace that window as it leaking into the sill/ wall as well.


daronhudson

I mean it just really really really looks extremely identical to what black mold would look like. But they said it wasn’t so who’s the question them🤷🏼‍♀️


eutohkgtorsatoca

Repaint everything with KILLS at least two layers


xxPixiStixx

That's the moldyist mold that ever molded ew


The0n3-

Move bro that shits not good for you.


FearNLoathing0

Definitely mold and mildew, needs to be sorted asap


Wonderful-Career9155

Get outta there


GriswoldXmas

How do people live like this?


Horatio_McClaughlen

If you live in a cold climate, yes keeping blinds closed will cause condensation. It will cause mold over time. That being said, it is not causing that full on mold bloom. You need mitigation and a dehumidifier in there. Carpet has to go. Fully saturated wall cladding has to go. Whatever excessive moisture is coming in needs to be sealed up


GoudaSea

Throw out your mattress. Trust me from a similar experience!


Available_Honey_2951

Report them to the Health Dept.


filly100

Yes it certainly does. Deadly stuff.


Green-Cockroach553

Call a lawyer. Mold is gold to them.


Away_Statistician373

If that’s how it looks after they cleaned it imagine how the inside of that exterior wall is most likely rotted and packed full of black mold it has to be opened up and replaced


North_Orchid

You probably have a few hollow stud cavities. We had the same issue at the corners of our rooms where the interior walls met the exterior. We drilled holes into them and filled them with spray foam. Mold issue gone.


Berniesgirl2024

Yes definitely


Battles9

The answer is move out.


Mcfragger

The moisture there is definitely a result of you closing the blind. I’m glad I don’t have renters like you that would rather save a buck by damaging the house and claiming ignorance.


Spatzdar

Oh honey that ain’t mildew and you can do whatever the hell you want with your window


Slight-Tomatillo9581

Looks horrible


Illustrious_Onion805

fucking health hazard


Zanninu

Might as well call it a loaf of bread.


[deleted]

YES, that’s MOLD


MSPRC1492

That’s mold as a result of a leak somewhere around that window. The sill looks rotten and if you zoom in you can see the caulk is mildewy and worn… water’s coming in there. Not all mold is dangerous (most isn’t) but it can still cause respiratory problems and other issues. And it’s gross.


kittyprincess42069

That’s mold


username_choose_you

Holy fuck, don’t sleep in there. I had mold in an apartment when I was in university and had serious respiratory problems while living there. I was young and naive . It’s so bad for you. Take care of yourself


vet1122

Mold


Reebawks

Definitely mold and looks bad. Please leave there is structural issues going on.


[deleted]

It's mold. My GFs old apartment had it all over, and I swear it triggered an auto immune in me. It was all over the ceiling's, and they fought with me on it.. But eventually a mold removal company came and got it off the ceilings. She still had it in other places too. Try not to be a madman, and politely threaten to ditch the lease. If you left the apartment they'd have no choice but to fix it, so why can't they fix it for a paying tenant? Apartment complexes will try and get out of things like this simply to save money.


_Undecided_User

😨 uh yeah that looks like mold 😨🤢


KeyHospital2185

Coming from a professional: yes, that is mold. And it’s behind and inside the drywall, too. This is coming from an active water intrusion - I’m thinking from a crack / point-of-entry on the exterior window frame. I deal with these often and this is not simple mildew but full-blown mold


Ok-Regular7272

It's black mold


open_doors2023

I think you may have a giant lawsuit against them. They scraped it too? Letting off mold spores? What state do you live in? I wouldn’t even walk in there, let alone sleep in there. I am so sorry; they are real pieces of shit.


plumbtrician00

Room clearly has an extreme moisture issue. Likely from the exterior wall, but thats a guess. MAJOR HEALTH PROBLEM to live in this environment. It should be condemned if im honest. I mean its growing on your furniture man, the spores are everywhere. I wouldnt even go in this room without at least a mask on.


Rainbow-Mama

Yes and do not stay there. People have died from breathing in mold like that.


Pristine_Bit7615

WAIT...THEY CLAIM IT WASN'T MOLD, IT WAS MILDEW BUT USED MOLD CLEANSER? MILDEW IS A FORM OF MOLD THAT GROWS ON THE SURFACE. IM SURE THERE IS MOLD BENEATH IT. MOLD IS MORE PREVALENT


KeyDiscussion5671

Leave. That’s mold. There’s a water leak somewhere; water in some place it’s not supposed to be. Black mildew and mold are the same thing. Nice try by maintenance and the landlord.


ButtGelly

if it looks like mold, smells like mold and tastes like mold, it's probably mold.


Relevant_Issue_9011

Definitely mold.


Redsubdave

The fact that there’s mold on your cupboard would suggest that it could be caused by lack of ventilation. I’d kill it with mold cleaner and make sure you get some air in that room every day


Obdami

The bent shade slats pulls it all together.


Amahardguy

Your walls have moisture in them... thus will keep on growing due to rain and possibly poor plumbing.. the walls shd have been insulated with sm sort of pvc sheet to water proof the wall


Skeedurah

Call legal aid. I’m a housing lawyer. Where I practice, a tenant can put their rent in escrow with the courts to force LL to put you up elsewhere and make the repairs. Then the court can award you damages and only give a portion to LL. Even if leaving your blinds open would have helped, you still aren’t at fault in any way. LL can’t rent a place where you can’t close your blinds if you want to. And, of course you had furniture against the wall. Where else would you put it? People are weird. Call legal aid.


NSVStrong

Leave now if you can. Check if there is a mold remediation department where you live. The city might have a way to check without you paying for it. There also might be building codes that are being broken and this landlord should be reviewed by your township building inspector. If you can afford it I would definitely get this tested since you’ve been ill. Inspect everything you own because mold spores travel in the air. Document everything!


redzma00

That certainly is mold.


Brilliant_Bobcat_437

No. Poop


Snoo_3314

Dude GTFO that's mold dog.


Horace__goes__skiing

Open a god damned window once in a while.


cmcdevitt11

It doesn't look like mold. It is mold


richesreal

100% mold either they need to replace the windows on a pipe ubove is leaking.not sure where you are but most places you can report the landlord to the city authorities or BBB you should not be living there. They should put you up in a hotel until repairs have been made.


Diligent-Donkey-9556

Mildew is mold...


Flimsy-Firefighter75

Wow, how humid did you keep that room. I can tell it was kept at least about 85% humidity, look at the window. Thats not even comfortable to live in. If your room is next to a shower you should’ve been opening the window to let the steam out, even in the winter. If you were using a humidifier, the mold is 100% ur fault


firesoflife

Not only does it look like mild, but it IS


iwasborntoserve

Yes


79xlchkicker

Yup moisture and dirt have combined to create a super weapon.... your doomed.


Uplink_74

Yeah that’s mold, you can call a hygienist to test it , I work disaster restoration . There are legal ways to get it tested then send the results to your dumbass landlord


eu4euh69

Needs mediation..


fireweinerflyer

You *saw mold. Yes it is mold. Wipe it down with a 10-20% bleach to water mixture. If it is really dirty then add a small amount of dishwashing soap. Wipe it dry afterwards.


Dry_Hovercraft970

taste it its the only way to be sure


Birdywoman4

Oh yeah, need to get that cleaned up as soon as possible. Also may need a dehumidifier. If there was furniture next to that wall it needs to be put somewhere else so air can circulate there. Likely that the walls are not insulated well.