TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING & REGULATION

Help! I have mold.

(What is it?)
Mold is a type of fungus that is present everywhere in our natural
environment. Mold spores, which are tiny microscopic ‘seeds,’ can be
found anywhere, including inside homes, and are a part of the general
dust found in homes. These spores can begin to grow on building
materials and furnishings if they get wet or stay moist. If visible mold is
allowed to grow unchecked, it will eventually damage what it is growing
on, which may include both the building and personal belongings.
The key to preventing mold growth is preventing moisture problems by
finding and stopping the source of moisture such as a plumbing or roof
problem and then quickly fixing and drying any water leaks or spills that
might occur. Common moisture problems include pipe leaks, roof leaks,
floodwaters, sewage back-ups and over-flowing toilets/sinks/bathtubs.
Tenants should promptly notify their landlord when they find a moisture
problem or mold growth. Any conversations should be followed up with
a letter to the landlord to avoid misunderstandings. Sending such a letter
by certified mail, return receipt requested, provides the best proof that it
has been received. Keep a copy of the letter for future reference.

What can TDLR do?

TDLR regulates professionals who provide mold assessment and
remediation services in Texas to ensure that the public has access to
mold assessors and remediators who are properly trained and licensed.
TDLR does not have regulatory authority to require inspection or testing
for moisture or mold in homes, apartments or other buildings and cannot
require a landlord or someone else to clean or remove mold.

MOLD REMEDIATION CONSUMER PROTECTION

For more information, please contact the TDLR Office of Strategic Communication: [Link]@[Link].
Is mold testing necessary? My landlord won’t do anything
Generally, it’s not necessary to identify the species of mold growing in a
residence, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) does not recommend
about the mold. Who can help me?
routine sampling for molds. It’s more important to find the source of the Mold issues are typically governed by the lease agreement and treated like
moisture and eliminate it, otherwise the problem will return. When the moisture other maintenance matters where you would submit a written request to your
is eliminated, the mold will no longer grow and will die. landlord or property owner. Current Texas law does not require landlords or
property owners to inspect for or clean mold.
If you or your landlord choose to pay for testing before remediation work
starts, the licensed mold assessment consultant who will do the assessment TDLR cannot advise you on legal issues such as paying rent, requesting to be
should establish criteria for interpreting the test results. When mold cleanup moved to another unit, breaking your lease, or preventing an eviction. Tenants
is necessary, the licensed mold assessment consultant will develop a protocol are encouraged to work with their landlords and property owners to come to
that the mold remediation contractor will follow. The protocol will specify the mutual agreement about how to deal with a mold situation.
estimated quantities and locations of materials to be remediated, methods to be Here are some resources:
used and cleanup criteria that must be met. ● A tenant can try to file a complaint with the local city or county health
The results of mold samples taken in your unique situation cannot be interpreted department. You can find listings of Local Health Departments in Texas
without physical inspection of the contaminated area or without considering the at: [Link]
building’s characteristics and the factors that led to the present condition. ● You could contact your City Building Official (Code Compliance). The
TDLR recommends that people consult a health care provider if they are building official may inspect the unit to determine if it is structurally
concerned about the effects of mold on their health. sound. They may also, in some cases, enforce maintenance provisions of
the building code.
What can I do about the mold? ● The Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has advice for consumers
Tenants and landlords should try to work cooperatively to investigate and here: [Link]/consumer/[Link].
correct moisture problems and remove mold growth. If you can see mold or ● For legal assistance, you may wish to contact the State Bar of Texas
smell a musty odor, carefully inspect the home, paying special attention to Lawyer Referral and Information Service: (800) 252-9690.
hidden areas such as plumbing access areas, crawl spaces, behind mirrors and ● Texas Apartment Association, Resources for Renters:
furniture, attics, closets and cupboards. [Link]
Mold growth should be cleaned from non-porous surfaces such as concrete, ● Texas Tenant Advisor: [Link]
metal, glass, tile, and solid wood. Mold growth is difficult to clean from absorbent
(porous) surfaces such as drywall, carpet, fleecy furnishings and insulation, so ● TDLR consumer mold information sheet:
these kinds of moldy materials should be removed and discarded. https:[Link]/mld/pdf/[Link]
Merely applying a chemical such as bleach to drywall, without removing the
mold source, is not a permanent effective solution. Painting over mold is also Mold prevention tips
not an effective solution. ● Use a towel or squeegee to dry off wet surfaces after bathing. Bathtub or
Personal belongings can be kept if there is no mold growth on them. These showers corners and joints, including tile crevices, are more susceptible to
items may need a deep cleaning to remove mold particles (spores) that have mold growth, so be sure to dry off those surfaces.
settled in the fabric. ● Keep humidity levels as low as you can — no higher than 50% — all day
long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low.
Who can do this work? ● Use air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months.
TDLR licenses people and companies who inspect and test for mold in buildings ● Clean bathroom with mold-killing products.
(mold assessment), and those who clean and remove mold (mold remediation). ● Do not carpet bathrooms.
Be sure to confirm that the professionals you’re hiring are licensed by TDLR to
perform this service. ● Quickly clean up and dry any liquids that might get on carpets. (If carpets
stay wet, notify the landlord).
In most instances, areas of visible mold less than 25 contiguous square feet in
area may be cleaned or removed by people who are not licensed. ● Ensure good air movement in your home: open windows when possible.
● Owners or managers of buildings with fewer than 10 dwelling units do not
have to be licensed to perform mold assessment or mold remediation on a
residential property. This exemption applies regardless of the total surface Links
area within the residential property that is affected by mold growth.
MOLD STATUTE AND RULES:
● The remediation of 25 contiguous square feet or more of visible mold [Link]
in residential properties with 10 or more units must be conducted by
a licensed Mold Remediator. Small areas of mold growth (less than 25 LICENSED TEXAS MOLD ASSESSORS AND REMEDIATORS:
contiguous square feet) can be cleaned/removed by an owner or by [Link]
maintenance staff. FILE A COMPLAINT REGARDING MOLD LICENSEES,
OR REPORT UNLICENSED ACTIVITIES:
[Link]
U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL (CDC)
INFORMATION ABOUT MOLDS:
[Link]

TDLR CP FORM-001 September 2022