Lease Termination Due To Mold

Summary

In West Virginia, landlords must provide habitable premises and make necessary repairs. Tenants should document issues and notify landlords. If repairs arent made in a reasonable time, lease termination may be possible. Consult a local attorney for personalized advice.

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I signed a lease yesterday and upon cleaning I found a lot of water under the floor in the bathroom and bedroom that has just been covered up. The water is standing along the wall in the bedroom and is growing mold so it’s definitely been there a while. They seem to have just put new floor over the problem in hopes that no one would notice. Can I get out of the lease immediately because I’m positive that the issue breaks the contract of a habitable living situation?
Hello ****, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. To provide you with the most accurate information, could you please tell me where you are located?
Pica, WV
I'm sorry to hear about your situation, ****. In West Virginia, landlords are required to:
- Provide habitable premises
- Make repairs to keep the premises in fit and habitable condition
If they fail to meet these requirements, tenants can terminate the lease. It's crucial to document your findings and inform your landlord immediately.
Do I have to give them a chance to fix it or can I just immediately terminate the lease?
In West Virginia, you generally need to give the landlord a reasonable opportunity to fix the issue. If they fail to do so in a reasonable time frame, you may have grounds to terminate the lease. Always consult with a local attorney to confirm.
Alright I’ve got video and pictures evidence. It’s really bad and it’s hard to breathe in that area
That's a good start, ****. Make sure to send these evidences to your landlord and maintain all communications in writing for future reference. If the conditions continue to be unfit, you may consult a local attorney for further actions.