Sydney renter reveals battle with black mould left them with breathing issues and skin rashes

A tenant has made a desperate plea for help after revealing he lives with black mold and struggles with a frightening array of health issues as a result.

The person, who wished to remain anonymous, posted about his “desperate situation” and “poor living conditions” in Sydney on the Don’t Rent Me Facebook group.

Withdrawn, 2 months after entering the lease I noticed black mold growing on walls and ceiling. I’ve tried to clean it, have dehumidifiers in every room – to no avail,” they wrote.

“To make matters worse, it seems to have given me an allergic reaction (skin irritation, trouble breathing, itchy eyes).

“My REA (real estate agent) was quick to get mold cleaners and they discovered problems with ventilation and a roof leak.”

But the tenant said what the cleaners did was just a temporary fix and they don’t know what to do.

‘So very likely the fungus will grow back. Unless they address the cause – that would require a major renovation.’

The person wonders if he should “break the lease,” but worries about the legal implications if he does and the health consequences if he doesn’t.

They are also worried about looking for another place to live during Australia’s worst rental crisis in years.

“Think it’s easier for[the landlord]to let me break the lease and let new people in while the property still looks mold-free after the clean…sick cycle,” they added.

There was an angry response from other posters on the board, with many advising them not to risk further damage to their health as mold can be deadly.

Surely there should be reasons to break a lease without charge because of health issues like this. It is not livable,” one wrote.

‘My sister broke her lease for a similar issue, she asked her REA friend to help her write a letter so she could break her lease without penalty as the unit was not safe to live in’, said another.

A third commenter advised them to file a report with the “council on the roof repairs and mold so they can’t re-let the property without repairs.”

The tenant said cleaning up the mold (pictured) was just a temporary solution and they don’t know what to do

The NSW Tenant’s Union said agents and landlords must disclose mold in a property’s state record if they know about it.

“Whether or not they notice the presence of mould/moisture, (the landlord) cannot escape the obligation to reasonably maintain the property during the rental period,” according to their website.

In addition, Fair Trading NSW said the repair is considered ‘urgent’ if the mold is causing health problems, as in this case.

New research by three Australian universities has found that most rental properties across the country endanger people’s health and well-being.

‘As a result, many people have no choice but to live in poor living conditions, such as houses that are cold, damp or mouldy,’ said Dr Lyrian Daniel, a lecturer in architecture at the University of South Australia.

The Don’t Rent Me Facebook group allows renters to voice their complaints and seek advice from others in a similar position, but it bans landlords and real estate agents.

“Landlords and real estate agents are not allowed as they have been found to continually harass tenants in our group,” the website reads.

WHAT IS BLACK MOLD?

Black mold, also known as toxic black mold, is a type of mold commonly found in damp or water-damaged buildings.

A woman is depicted looking at fungus

Black mold needs a very high moisture content to grow. This can be due to flooding, leaking roofs, plumbing problems or poor building maintenance.

Black mold usually grows in materials such as wood, drywall, timber framing, composite wood floors, carpets and carpet underlay.

Black mold has a moldy or musty smell and is black in color, while other types of mold that grow in homes can be pink, gray, white or brown.

Source: airsafe.net.au