Can my house be condemned because of mold?

Author: Dr. Carlos Nienow Jr.  |  Last update: Sunday, July 6, 2025

In worst-case scenarios, your home may be condemned, especially if it is infested with toxic mold. This is an extreme scenario – and often preventable if you catch the mold issue early enough.

Can a house with mold be condemned?

A few areas of mold growth aren't any reason to condemn a home, but if there are too many infested areas of the home, there is a chance it could be condemned.

What qualifies a house to be condemned?

A condemned house or property is uninhabitable, which means it is unsafe for anyone to live in according to government standards. The criteria for habitability usually include access to clean water, electricity, and working sewage.

Is mold an OSHA violation?

Is Mold an OSHA Violation? Well, yes and no. There is no mold-specific OSHA standard. Additionally, no federal agency – not OSHA, NIOSH, the CDC, or the EPA – has created recommendations or limits on specific airborne concentrations of mold or mold spores.

Will mold fail a home inspection?

Home inspectors are not looking outright for mold when going over a property. Yet, if the history of the home includes water damage, more than likely an inspector will make it part of their inspection.

9 Signs You Have Toxic Mold In Your Home

What happens if your house tests positive for mold?

No matter what type of mold is present, it should be removed. Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. For people that are sensitive to molds, it can cause stuffy nose, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or skin irritation.

Can you sue a home inspector for missing mold?

Legal recourse if the inspector makes an error

If you think something was missed that should have been caught, contact an attorney. Your attorney can advise you of any possible claims or legal action against the inspector, his company and/or its insurance agency. If the claim is denied, you may be able to sue.

Can you sue your job for mold exposure?

You may have the opportunity to pursue compensation for your harm by filing a workers' compensation claim if you're suffering health issues because of mold exposure at work. Workers' compensation is a type of insurance that protects certain employees who have suffered work-related harm.

How long does it take to get sick from mold exposure?

According to the CDC, people usually experience their first symptoms within 2 to 9 hours of their first exposure. On the other hand, some people could go for weeks or months before feeling sick if their exposure is limited enough. This is why it is also important to check damp, dark areas of your home for mold.

What are the 10 warning signs of mold toxicity?

Although symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms seen in people exposed to mold indoors include:
  • Nasal and sinus congestion.
  • Eye irritation, such as itchy, red, watery eyes.
  • Wheezing and difficulty breathing.
  • Cough.
  • Throat irritation.
  • Skin irritation, such as a rash.
  • Headache.

What warrants a house being condemned?

Generally, a home may be condemned if: The house has been abandoned for an extended period of time; in some cases (and depending on the condition of the property), this could be as few as 180 days. It is dilapidated and/or deteriorated to the point where it's no longer structurally sound.

Will insurance pay for a condemned house?

Will insurance pay for a condemned house? Whether or not homeowners insurance will pay for a condemned house depends on what caused it to become condemned. If the cause is a covered peril, like a fire, then the insurer would pay to rebuild the home.

Can the fire department condemn a house?

The Fire Chief shall have the power to condemn, as unsafe, any building which constitutes a fire hazard.

How long can you live in a house with mold?

Generally, a person can stay in a moldy home for years, though some people could feel extremely uncomfortable.

What does it take to have a house condemned?

When a house gets condemned, it means that a government authority has declared the property unsafe or uninhabitable due to severe structural damage, health hazards, or code violations. This can leave homeowners in Stockton, CA, feeling uncertain about their options.

Who pays for mold remediation?

If there is a covered condition that the homeowner's insurance policy covers that causes mold, then the insurance company will cover mold remediation. Excess water from a natural cause like a roof leaking after a rain storm is usually covered by a homeowners insurance policy.

How do you prove mold is making you sick?

If you have a stuffy nose, sneezing, watery eyes, shortness of breath, wheezing or other bothersome symptoms that persist, see your doctor.

Can mold behind walls make you sick?

It irritates the nose and throat, which can lead to both sneezing and coughing as your body tries to get rid of the irritant. Inhaling mold spores can also trigger coughing in people with allergies or an asthma attack, for those with asthma.

What happens if you breathe in mold for a long time?

Chronic Fatigue: Mold forces your body to work harder, leading to persistent fatigue, especially in those with pre-existing conditions. Lung Issues: Prolonged exposure can cause lasting damage to lung function.

Can the health department condemn a house for mold?

The simple answer is: YES, it absolutely can.

Is it hard to win a mold lawsuit?

Toxic mold lawsuits are particularly complicated, as they often involve multiple causes of action, can implicate a wide range of potential defendants, and require specific medical and scientific expertise.

Can I call OSHA if my company is doing nothing about mold?

If you believe that there is a mold hazard, you have the right to file a complaint with Federal OSHA or, in states with OSHA-approved state plans, the state occupational safety and Page 18 health agency.

Can a mold inspector condemn a house?

The short answer is no, a home inspector cannot condemn a house. That authority rests with the city or county in which the property is located.

How much can you sue for mold exposure?

Judgments and settlements awarded to tenants suffering from mold can vary but can be several thousands of dollars or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending upon whether the landlord was negligent, and the severities of the health problems caused by mold.

Who is liable if defects are found after a home inspection?

Liability often extends to either party's real estate broker, real estate agent (Realtor), or home inspector. Every case is different. If the homebuyer has evidence that the seller knew or should have known about the undisclosed defect, the buyer may have legal action for nondisclosures or negligent misrepresentation.

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