RENTERS

Individuals or families who live in rental units have a “right” to live in safe housing. However, unfortunately many landlords don’t want to incur the “cost” of testing all their units in a complex.

So, to be “assured” that you are living in a safe apartment, you may need to consider conducting your own testing! You can usually buy inexpensive test devices at Lowes or Home Depot. (Although, I would choose the Lowe’s kit for around $15. Because the Home Depot version, (while having a cheaper purchase price, ($9.95), requires a $40 analysis free to get your results back.

Of course, if your results are high, before contacting your landlord about it, try to get several other residents to do the same. Then if others have the same problem, you can all approach them about what they can do to make sure you have a SAFE living environment. Most landlords, unfortunately, don’t see “potential health liabilities” for their residents. They generally only think about what it’s going to cost to FIX the problem! Some stand fast and state they won’t do so.

That is when you have to decide if you feel your elevated levels are enough of a problem to consider LEAVING if they refuse to do anything! Or you might consider contacting a local TV station to express your concerns. They generally are very proactive to try to “protect area consumers”.