Verify the complaint; if necessary, take action

Professional investigations bring professional results.

As you continue with the mold investigation, you would go to the residence to see things firsthand and meet with the complainant. Take pictures to document the situation.

Even though rental property is private property, tenants have the right to permit a third party to enter their own apartment over the owner’s objection.
Introduce yourself and the CEO and explain why you are there.
If you and the CEO are reasonably sure the complaint is valid, find out if the owner is present on the property. If the owner isn’t present, contact him/her to meet.

Speak to the owner about resolving the problem.

Introduce yourself and the CEO. Tell the owner why you are there and that you intend to take pictures. Go over the complaint with the owner. If the tenant is willing to take up the complaint with the owner, you do not need to indicate who complained. If the tenant wants to be anonymous, there is no disclosure even if the owner insists on knowing. You would explain that confidentiality rules prevent you from giving out that information.

Discuss the mold situation and where and why the excessive moisture is present. If the owner begins to understand the problem and seems to say a solution is at hand, try to get the owner to put the solution into exact words.
You will want to take notes so you can document the conversation in a follow-up letter.
Diplomatically remind the owner that there is a law that deals with this situation (in this case, the Warranty of Habitability law and the Dangerous Building law)
Explain that if you have no alternative, you are required to have the town remedy the problem at the owner’s expense.
Determine from the owner what his/her plans are, and that you will expect to have an answer in three days time (depending upon the situation).

Verify the complaint; if necessary, take action

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