Tenants – Do you have unsafe, unsanitary and dangerous living conditions? Has your landlord served you a notice of eviction or filed a Petition against you in court? If you have answered yes to either one of these questions, you need to consult with Michael Santschi, Attorney at Law.
Michael is one of the few attorneys in Missouri who represents and fights for the Tenant. Check out the About tab for more information.
Do you have any of the following problems? Do you have photographs? Have you had a home inspection completed? Have any of these issues caused health problems?
- Mold
[i] Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing. - Insects
[ii] Do cockroaches carry diseases? Studies show that cockroaches are responsible for the spread of 33 types of bacteria, six varieties of parasitic worms, and seven types of pathogens. Cockroaches can spread germs and diseases including: Diarrhea, Cholera, Typhoid fever, Leprosy, Dysentery, Plague, Poliomyelitis, Salmonella and E. coli - Water Leaks
- Rodents
[iii] Mice aren't usually dangerous, but inside your house they can damage appliances and furniture. They can even cause electrical fires when they gnaw through wires.
After that, the real danger that most often comes with mice is that they can carry disease. There is a small risk that they can pass it to you and your family members if they: -
- Bite you
- Bring ticks, fleas, and mites into your home
- Contaminate your food and water with their droppings, saliva, and pee
- Contaminate the dust you breathe in
Mice in the home can spread several diseases:
-
- Hantavirus
- Leptospirosis (bacterial infection)
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (viral infection)
- Plague (bacterial infection)
- Typhus (bacterial infection)
- Drain Backups
- Electrical Problems (A/C or Furnace not working correctly)
- Security (locks on doors and/or windows)
- Unsecure stairs or other apertures which could be a safety issue
Missouri has [iv] Laws addressing such issues as: The Implied Warranty of Habitability, Security Deposit returns, Unlawful Detainer, Constructive Eviction, Breach of Contract and Rent and Possession, (RSMo. 534, 441 and 535)