“The M-Word” — Mold and the Rental Industry’s Favorite Game

Why No One Wants to Say “Mold” — And Why That’s a Problem for Renters

Let me preface this by saying “I am NOT a lawyer”. This statement will reveal it’s genius comedic value in a moment.

There’s a strange little dance that happens in the rental industry.
A tenant reports black stuff growing under the sink. The air smells musty. Someone’s getting headaches. The drywall feels soft. You know what it is.
They know what it is. Everyone knows.
But no one wants to say it.

Instead, you get:
“Discoloration.”
“Surface staining.”

But not mold.
Never mold.
Because apparently, the word is cursed.

What’s Really Going On?

When rental companies—big or small—refuse to call mold mold, it’s usually not because they’re trying to be careful scientists.
It’s because the second they say it, they’ve acknowledged it.
And if they acknowledge it, they might be held responsible for fixing it.

Now they need to pay a mold assessor to test and prescribe a treatment protocol, and come back afterwards to confirm it was done properly.

If it’s not mold, they can send the dishwasher from Chili’s to spray some stuff on it and call it a day.

If it’s not mold, they can let the milk man swing by on his way home and scrape it off with a Kenny Loggins CD and be on his way.

They’ll often tell tenants they “aren’t licensed to say it’s mold.”
They’ll claim they need testing before using that term.
But let’s be honest here.

These same people aren’t lawyers—but they’ll send legal notices.
They’re not HVAC techs—but they’ll tell you to change your air filter.
They’re not doctors—but they’ll say it’s probably allergies.
They’re not plumbers—but they’ll call a clog a clog.
They’re not deputy sheriffs—but they’ll tell you ‘you can’t park there’.

OK maybe, some of these are silly comparisons.
But do you see the issue?

The “we’re not licensed” line is usually just a shield against liability.
It’s not entirely wrong—but it’s also not the whole truth.

Let’s Be Fair for a Minute

Now—to be fair—there is a reason people tread lightly around the word mold.
And not everyone using careful language is acting in bad faith.

For example:
Home inspectors are explicitly trained not to say “mold” unless they’re also licensed mold professionals.
Why? Because their job is a non-invasive, visual inspection—not an environmental health assessment.

Their standards of practice (from InterNACHI, ASHI, and others) state clearly:

Do not identify mold, lead, asbestos, or other hazardous materials. Report suspected conditions and recommend further evaluation.

So when an inspector writes “possible microbial growth,” they’re not dodging—they’re following protocol to avoid legal overreach.

And for rental companies, some are genuinely trying to stay inside legal guardrails.
Florida doesn’t have statewide mold disclosure laws, and property managers aren’t mold assessors. They may fear crossing a line they’ve been warned not to step over.

So yes—sometimes people are trying to do the right thing.
They just end up doing it in the wrong way.

But the Result? Tenants Get Left in the Dark

While everyone’s carefully avoiding the “M-word,” the tenant is still living in a moldy apartment.
Headaches. Coughing. Itchy eyes. Mystery skin rashes. Constant fatigue.
Maybe they’ve asked to move. Maybe they’ve just stopped asking.
And no one’s willing to name the thing that’s causing the problem.

The system creates plausible deniability instead of real accountability.

What Can Tenants Actually Do?

If you're a renter and you suspect mold:

1. Document everything.
   Take photos, videos, and write down what you see and smell. Dates matter.

2. Make written requests.
   Don’t settle for a phone call. Send an email or a letter requesting a proper inspection and remediation.

3. Use descriptive but safe language.
   You can say "black growth" or "visible microbial staining." They know what you mean.

4. Know your rights under Florida Statute 83.56.
   If landlords don’t act within 7 days of a written notice for habitability issues, you may have legal grounds to take next steps (look it up - I am not a lawyer [teeheehee]).

5. Hire your own mold assessor.
   A licensed mold assessor (like us) can confirm the issue with lab results, creating documentation that’s hard to ignore.

So, Can You Say It’s Mold?

Yes—and no.

• You, the tenant? Yes. You can say “mold” based on what you see, smell, and experience.

• A landlord? They probably should, but many choose not to without third-party verification.

• A home inspector? Not unless they’re also licensed as a mold assessor.

But just because the word isn't spoken doesn’t mean the issue isn't real.

Call It What It Is

Because when your home is making you sick, what you call it isn’t as important as what you do about it.

Luckily, Green Check checks mold.