If you have mold in your rental unit, you should report it to your landlord.

Your landlord is legally required to address the mold and water sources that may be causing it. Your landlord should follow up 10-15 days after you first report concerns. 

• Notify your property manager or landlord in writing and include pictures using your property's preferred communications (email, online portal, etc.)
• Use template language below to help you write your complaint.  
• Always keep a copy for yourself - this creates a record of your concern.

For more details about Virginia laws on housing conditions, visit the Code of Virginia website or jump to the Mold Code section below. Your lease may have specific language about this. 

If you reported an issue and your landlord did not follow up in 10-15 days, report it to the City using Alex311. Call 703.746.4311 (translation services available by phone) or use the website: 

Report to Alex311

After You Report to Alex311, 311 staff may share information or resources to support you. If the property manager has not addressed it within 10-15 days, the City of Alexandria's Code Administration team may come to your unit to closely look at the issue and look for sources of water entering your unit that can often lead to mold. 

The City of Alexandria Office of Code Administration will not inspect or test for mold. 

For updates on your request, visit the 311 website and enter your request number under the “Status” tab or call and reference your number. 

It is illegal for property management to "retaliate" or get back at you for reporting your issue to 311. Retaliation can look like:

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If your property manager is retaliating against you because you reported an issue, file a request for support on Alex311 and you will be connected with the City of Alexandria's Office of Human Rights.

The City of Alexandria is not able to provide legal advice or legal assistance to those seeking legal action for mold issues. 

If you feel you must take legal action against a landlord or property manager due to mold concerns, you may choose to seek legal advice or assistance. Here are some local options: 

• Legal Services of Northern Virginia - Apply for Free Services
• Alexandria Bar Association - Lawyer Referral Services
• Virginia Statewide Lawyer Referral Services - Visit the Virginia State Bar 

Mold is often a sign of a bigger issue like leaking water. Leaking water in your home can also be referred to as “water intrusion” or “water penetration” which is a code violation.

You can get help with mold, water intrusion, and water penetration by complaining to your landlord. 

Tips for reporting: 

• Specifically mention concerns of "water intrusion" or "water penetration" when reporting mold to your property manager.
• If you think you know what the source of the water is, mention it.
• Record the date, time, and name of the person you spoke with every time you contact property management.
• If you talk to someone in person or on the phone, follow up with an email.
• Not sure what to include in your complaint? Use our templates to report mold, verify a response, and ask for more help if problems continue. 

Mold Reporting Templates

If no action is taken within 10-15 days, request support through to the City of Alexandria using 311. 

ALX Breathes is a free program from the Alexandria Health Department that offers free one-on-one home support, information, and resources for renters and residents experiencing asthma or COPD. Renters and homeowners are eligible. 

If you believe you qualify, enroll by calling Alexandria Health Department at 703.746.4988 or fill out the online form. 

Apply for ALX Breathes.  

Safety First

• Wear gloves, an N95 mask, and eye protection.
• Work in a well-ventilated area.
• Avoid dry brushing mold —use a wet cloth or sponge to prevent spores spreading in  the air. Use disposable cloths or sponges and discard them after use.

Cleaning Guidelines

• Porous items or something with many holes that lets air or water pass (like fabric, paper, cardboard) are hard to clean and may need to be discarded. Non-porous items, or items that do not have small holes that make it easy for air and liquid to enter (like metal, glass, plastic) can be cleaned with detergent and water.
• Most of the time, you can use common household cleaners like vinegar, baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide to clean the mold. Particularly if you have asthma or any type of breathing issue.
• If the other cleaning options aren’t enough, you can use bleach (1 cup per gallon of water)— but never mix bleach with ammonia.
• Dry the area after cleaning.

For more information, check out the Environmental Protection Agency's mold cleaning website. 

If you would like to explore the possibility of getting your mold treated, also known as mold remediation, there are several local services.

Contractors who perform mold remediation, or treatment of mold, in homes must do so in accordance with professional standards" means mold remediation of that portion of the dwelling unit or premises affected by mold, or any personal property of the tenant affected by mold, performed consistent with guidance documents published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (Bioaerosols: Assessment and Control); Standard and Reference Guides of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) for Professional Water Damage Restoration and Professional Mold Remediation; or any protocol for mold remediation prepared by an industrial hygienist consistent with such guidance documents.

You can use the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) contractor locator to find a licensed mold remediator near you.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) does not assess the credentials of, or make recommendations regarding, specific mold specialists. For more information on Mold Cleanup, visit the Virginia Department of Health's mold website. 

As a landlord or property manager, there are certain legal requirements for mold issues that you must comply with and your renters can expect. 

Jump to the Mold Code section below for details. 

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Safety First

• Wear gloves, an N95 mask, and eye protection.
• Work in a well-ventilated area.
• Avoid dry brushing mold —use a wet cloth or sponge to prevent spores spreading in  the air. Use disposable cloths or sponges and discard them after use.

Cleaning Guidelines

• Porous items or something with many holes that lets air or water pass (like fabric, paper, cardboard) are hard to clean and may need to be discarded. Non-porous items, or items that do not have small holes that make it easy for air and liquid to enter (like metal, glass, plastic) can be cleaned with detergent and water.
• Most of the time, you can use common household cleaners like vinegar, baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide to clean the mold. Particularly if you have asthma or any type of breathing issue.
• If the other cleaning options aren’t enough, you can use bleach (1 cup per gallon of water)— but never mix bleach with ammonia.
• Dry the area after cleaning.

For more information, check out the Environmental Protection Agency's mold cleaning website. 

Contractors who perform mold remediation, or treatment of mold, in homes must do so in accordance with professional standards" means mold remediation of that portion of the dwelling unit or premises affected by mold, or any personal property of the tenant affected by mold, performed consistent with guidance documents published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (Bioaerosols: Assessment and Control); Standard and Reference Guides of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) for Professional Water Damage Restoration and Professional Mold Remediation; or any protocol for mold remediation prepared by an industrial hygienist consistent with such guidance documents.

You can use the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) contractor locator to find a licensed mold remediator near you.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) does not assess the credentials of, or make recommendations regarding, specific mold specialists. For more information on Mold Cleanup, visit the Virginia Department of Health's mold website. 

• The Office of Housing offers several voluntary informational opportunities to landlords, including trainings and apartment management seminars. Check out their website for more information.
• ALX Breathes- a homebased program for residents with Asthma or COPD
• Mold Clean Up Guidelines and Recommendations - CDC
• 8 Tips to Clean Mold - CDC
• A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home - US EPA

Virginia Code Requirements for Remediation of Mold in Rental Properties are summarized below.  

1. Mold Disclosure at Move-In  (§ 55.1-1215)
   1. Landlords must tell new tenants if there is any visible mold in the unit during the move-in inspection.
   2. If no mold is reported, that statement is considered correct unless the tenant objects in writing within 5 days.
2. Maintaining a Safe and Healthy Home (§ 55.1-1220)
   1. Landlords must keep the rental in good condition to prevent moisture buildup and mold growth.
   2. If a tenant reports moisture or mold, the landlord must respond quickly and fix the issue using professional mold removal standards.
3. If Mold Forces a Tenant to Move Temporarily (§ 55.1-1231)
   1. Landlords are responsible for assessing if a unit is unsafe to live in.
   2. If mold makes the unit unsafe, the landlord must pay for the tenant to stay in a similar unit or a hotel for up to 30 days.
   3. The tenant still has to pay rent during this time, but not for the relocation or mold cleanup.
4. Who Pays for Mold Cleanup? (§ 55.1-1231 and § 55.1-1227)
   1. The landlord pays for all mold removal and relocation costs—unless the tenant caused the mold by not properly ventilating or reporting moisture problems.
5. After Mold is Fixed (§ 55.1-1220)
   1. Once mold has been professionally removed, landlords don’t have to tell future tenants about the past mold issue. For current tenants, landlords are required to share steps for mold remediation done in their unit and reinspect after mold is remediated. 

It is illegal for property management to "retaliate" or get back at you for reporting your issue to 311. Retaliation can look like:

• Threatening eviction
• Increasing rent

If your property manager is retaliating against you because you reported an issue, request support from Alex311 and you will be connected with the City of Alexandria's Office of Human Rights.

Preventing mold is a good way to protect the health of people in your household -- it's also required for renters to take reasonable steps to prevent mold. You could be held responsible for the cost of mold remediation if you don't reasonably attempt to prevent mold or report it as soon as you notice an issue. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a collection of mold pictures. You can see different forms of mold in these pictures.

Not Mold: 

• Mold remediation- treating and/or removing mold and areas that have been exposed to mold
• Water intrusion or water penetration- water entering your home in an unexpected or unwanted way.
• Retaliate- someone getting back at you for speaking up
• Porous Items- has lots of small spaces or holes
• Ventilation- air flow or fresh air entering a space
• Corrosion/ rust- break down of a metal or iron

• Mold Clean Up Guidelines and Recommendations - CDC
• 8 Tips to Clean Mold - CDC
• Guidance on Ventilation and Humidity - NCHH
• Homeowners and Renters Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters - CDC
• Reduce your Exposure to Mold in Your Home
• What to Wear Before Entering a Home or Building with Mold Damage - CDC
• Mold Clean-Up After Disasters: When to Use Bleach
• A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home - US EPA
• Guidance on Purchasing an Air Cleaner - RAMP

More About Indoor Air Quality in Alexandria