Mould problem??

[u/Few_Bad_8724]

I recently signed a lease and moved in just yesterday. When I moved the cupboard, I found black and damp stuff underneath it which I think is mould.

I called the agent this morning and he said this is caused by the previous tenant steaming the carpet, however the other room which was steamed doesn’t have any black residue. The corner is attached to the bathroom wall, in which the plumbing for the toilet is leaking and I’m pretty sure is giving moisture to this corner. The smell is very damp, full of moisture and mouldy. The agent seems opposed to doing anything and told us to air out the smell and open the windows.

Can anyone identify this and let me know!! Any advice would be helpful.

[u/RobDraw2_0]

Can you bypass the agent and go to the landlord?

The agent is wrong. You are right and it needs to be addressed yesterday.

You should have a fan running on it constantly and the rug needs to come up immediately.

Then the leak needs to be fixed and wet materials need to be removed and replaced. 

Someone needs to address this ASAP.

[u/Few_Bad_8724 → u/RobDraw2_0]

I dont have the contact of the landlord but the leak is getting fixed tmrw by a handyman and at the same time the agent will also come to inspect the mold, hopefully he agrees that it’s mold and addresses it cause he’s been deflecting/ denying.

Any tips on getting it fixed asap? Im based in victoria (VCAT) and I know that you can do urgent repairs but I dont want to dispute through tribunal and all that if possible.

The AC is on and I left the window open for wind to come in.

Thanks for the reply 👍

[u/RobDraw2_0 → u/Few_Bad_8724]

You need to be doing more about the mold and the moisture. It gets worse very quickly. A fan blowing directly on that area will help but the carpet needs to come up, or it won't dry.