Prospective new buyer after a mold remediation

Thank you for your response to our mold remediation issue here in Boston. I have passed on the articles to other unit owners. We discovered two foundation walls contributing to our moisture problem and will need a comprehensive plan to address the mold, ventillation and repairs to the foundation walls.

My question is when we sell our units, is there a highly desirable response/solution that a potential owner would want to see since this will come up during closing? We are in the middle of crafting our action plan. Does a certified mold remediation contractor need to be called in or can we use a general contractor? DO we need testing for mold or just the remediation?

Thank you
MaryLee

Here is my original question and the response from JOE

We have a very small association in a three family house. We have mold remediation crisis on our hands right now. I live on the first floor and have asthma. We have a contenscious assocation where two members have taken over and do everything by majority rule. I don't know the method of mold remediation yet though I've asked several times. Do I have any recourse if my health problems continue?

We have $3500 in our reserve fund. I think we should use the reserves to handle mold remeditiation. We need to fix ventilation and fix a foundation wall which would be a seperate assessment. Is there any rule that says how much reserves should be never spent?

thanks for any imput
Boston

JosephW
Posts:193
Posted:10/16/2006 5:05 AM Quote Reply
I can see that people are shying away from this one because the issue of mold has become very tricky, involving insurance and courts. Chances are that the association's insurance policy now excludes coverage for mold remediation and so the other two owners are looking at the possibility of costs much greater than what you have in reserves, and therefore are relutctant to deal with it. I would suggest reading the following two articles and possibly forwarding them to the board members:

http://www.caimichigan.org/articles/so_what_if_you_don.htm

http://www.meeb.com/legal_alert/legal_alert_08_04.htm

Also, check with the local health department or building inspectors for your local government. If the building is a health hazard, they could possibly force the repairs.

I hope somebody else chips in with some better knowledge.

Joe