Mold in a St. Louis rental: who to call and what Missouri law gives you

Is my St. Louis landlord responsible for mold?

Often, but not always, and the law is thin. We did not find a Missouri statute that names mold. Missouri’s repair-and-deduct law covers conditions that break a local housing or building code and hurt habitability. Whether mold counts is a question for the local code office or a lawyer.

In practice, mold follows water. A roof leak, a broken pipe or a failed bath fan is usually the owner’s repair. Tenant causes, such as a blocked dryer vent or an unreported leak, can change the answer. Put your report in writing either way.

This guide covers the rental angle. For the science and the cleanup order, read mold after water damage and mold remediation cost and timeline. Not legal advice: call Missouri Legal Services or a lawyer for your lease.

Does the City or County have a mold rule?

Not that we found. St. Louis County says its Healthy Homes Program has no regulatory authority over mold or mildew in homes. It also says no federal agency has established what counts as an acceptable, tolerable or normal quantity of mold. We did not find a City page that sets a mold rule.

That means mold in a rental is usually handled as a housing condition. Ask the code office whether the leak, rot or broken system behind the mold breaks the housing code. We could not confirm whether the City acts on mold alone.

Who do I call in the City of St. Louis?

Call the Citizens’ Service Bureau (CSB) at (314) 622-4800, or file online. CSB is the City’s customer service department. It takes complaints and service requests and can direct you to the correct City service.

Before you call, have the exact address, the unit number, photos with dates, and copies of what you sent your landlord. Rental units in the City need a Certificate of Inspection, and the City says rentals are reinspected every three years or when occupancy changes.

Who do I call in St. Louis County?

The County says all complaints involving mold outside lodging and childcare facilities must go to your own housing authority. For many renters, that means the city hall of the municipality where you live, or the County permit office if you live in unincorporated County. Ask which one covers your address.

The County’s Healthy Homes Program does offer help. It advises cleaning and drying wet or damp spots within 48 hours and keeping indoor humidity below 60%, ideally 30 to 50%. It also says take-home mold tests are available through the Department of Public Health’s Environmental Lab. Call 314-615-8324 for information.

Who can I call, at a glance?

Can I fix mold and deduct the cost from my rent?

Only in narrow cases. Missouri’s repair-and-deduct law, RSMo 441.234, lets some tenants fix a code violation and subtract the cost from rent. The table lists the limits as the statute states them.

The statute adds that this remedy does not replace other remedies a tenant may have. It also bars the remedy when the tenant or a guest caused the condition. The cost cap is low. Real mold remediation usually costs more, so this route fits only small repairs, such as fixing a leaking faucet that fed the mold. Talk to a lawyer before you deduct anything.

How long must I wait for the landlord?

For repair and deduct, the notice must say that you intend to fix the condition at the landlord’s expense. The landlord then has 14 days, or as promptly as an emergency requires. A general complaint about mold is not that notice. Verbal notice does not start that clock. Send a dated letter or an email that you can prove you sent, and keep a copy. If the landlord disputes the repair in writing, the clock changes: after the local government certifies the code violation, the landlord has 14 days from the certification or your notice, whichever is later. Before you deduct anything, give the landlord an itemized statement with receipts.

This 14 days belongs to the repair-and-deduct law. It is not a deadline for every complaint. A City or County office can set its own timeline.

What do I do first when I find mold?

Do these steps in order:

1. Take dated photos of the growth and the water source.
2. Stop the water if you safely can, and dry wet areas within 48 hours.
3. Tell your landlord in writing. Describe the problem and the date you found it.
4. Keep copies of every message and receipt.
5. Call CSB (City) or your housing authority (County) if the landlord does not act.
6. Do not scrub or cut into large areas. Disturbing growth spreads mold spores.

Mold repair can also touch lead paint. In a pre-1978 rental, cutting out wet drywall with painted trim disturbs paint. EPA says its RRP rule applies to landlords who rent out property, so a paid crew must be lead-safe certified. See lead help in St. Louis.

When is mold a job for a remediation company?

When the growth is large, keeps returning, or follows a leak you cannot stop. A professional finds the moisture source, contains the area and removes damaged material. Learn the steps in the mold remediation glossary entry, and compare options on our page about mold inspection. The black mold entry covers a common worry.

EPA’s 10 square feet line is the usual dividing mark between a small cleanup and a larger job. We explain it in mold over 10 square feet. Landlords who hire a pro should ask for a written scope that includes fixing the water source. Tenants should not hire a contractor to work inside the landlord’s unit without the landlord’s approval.

Next step

AES provides mold remediation in St. Louis and within 300 miles. Landlords and property managers can call (314) 865-2662 or request a free quote at /contact.