mold

Go to www.nyc.gov, then Building Information System. If there've been violations or complaints filed with the city, they'll show up there.

PropertyShark is another good resource.

Thank you! Nothing turned up on those sites. Instead, are there companies that someone can recommend for inspections or tests for toxic mold?

Mold's big business now, so google around. If the owner of the place you saw didn't bother to clean up the visible mold/mildew/whatever-it-was, walk away.

Generally pre-war buildings (but usually not rowhouses) have solid gypsum walls, so no wallboard etc. to cause problems.

Thanks, so new construction will have more issues? The owner is overseas, probably hasn't seen the place for a while. The mold was visible around the entrance to the unit and nowhere else. The agent said it was because the unit has been closed for a while. We know that there are different kinds of mold, and it is possible that this was just a humidity issue.

It's been a problem with newer houses that're inadequately ventilated and with air-tight construction. The visible mold may or may not be an issue, but it does indicate the general level of maintenance. E.g., it's odd that the owner didn't have the place freshly painted for rental. If it's a great deal then it may be worth your while to take care of it yourself. Every place will have issues, but if the prospect of mold is something that particularly concerns you, then walk.

I would not rent an apartment that shows visible mold. I'd be concerned about what you may not be seeing...

I highly recommend Russell Houseman if you want to do mold testing and/or remediation . .. he detox'd my beach house . . . www.alltechenviro.com

ali r.
{downtown broker}

Thanks, all this is helpful. BTW, I wouldn't call 19K a rental deal....and there doesn't seem to be issues in the building, but I guess if ind. owners had it taken care of independently, there wouldn't be any record.