Highlights
- Not unless there is a trigger such as rain, mould is an exclusion when it comes to insurance.
- The landlord is responsible for getting rid of mould if it is caused by rain or water damage.
- The home occupier is responsible when mould develops due to poor ventilation or neglect.
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"You have to be very careful when it comes to mould because it can be detrimental to your health.
"Mould can be especially prevalent during winter because we tend to close all the windows and turn on the heater, which then result in poor ventilation and moisture buildup."
Insurance agent Richard Labrador shares on which occasions a landlord and home occupier are responsible for mould.
Insurance
"When it comes to insurance, mould damage is an exclusion," he shares.
Richard says that the only instances in which mould is covered by insurance is if it occurs and develops due to triggers, such as water damage or rain.
Landlord
When there are mould triggers, the landlord needs to be informed of the damage right away.
"If mould is brought about by the weather or accidents, the landlord is responsible for it.
"Take photos and send them to your landlord right away, so that the issue gets tended to as soon as possible. Tending to the mould imediately prevents it from spreading to other parts of the property. There might be deductions to your bond if you don't act right away.
The home occupier
"Mould can be a sign of a maintenance issue. If mould develops due to poor ventilation and moisture buildup, it is not covered by insurance. This becomes the responsibility of the home occupier."
The cost
"Removing mould, treating it so it doesn't come back and, painting over small damaged areas can cost up to 2,000-5,000 AUD; however, if the area is big, costs increase, of course."
Disclaimer: The information in this article serves only as a guide. For additional information regarding your particular issue or situation, consult with legal, financial and/or tax experts.
