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Guide Property Management LLC
<br />1500 Westlake Ave N • Suite 212 • Seattle, WA 98109
<br />(206) 737-8171
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<br />Mold Information and Prevention
<br />8.1 LEASE CONTRACT
<br />This Addendum ("Addendum") is made part of the Residential
<br />Lease Contract ("Agreement") dated 09/01/2024 , and is between
<br />the Owner of 600 Ninth ("Owner") and City of Everett ,
<br />(collectively and individually "Residents"), for the premises at
<br />600 9th Ave - 401
<br />Seattle, WA 98104
<br />(the "Leased Premises"), which is located within 600 Ninth (the
<br />"Residential Community"). All capitalized terms used but not
<br />defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Agreement.
<br />Where the terms and conditions of this Addendum vary or conflict
<br />with the terms and conditions of the Agreement, the terms and
<br />conditions of this Addendum shall control.
<br />8.2 ABOUT MOLD
<br />Mold is found virtually everywhere in our environment--both
<br />indoors and outdoors and in both new and old structures. Molds
<br />are naturally occurring microscopic organisms which reproduce by
<br />spores and have existed practically from the beginning of time. All
<br />of us have lived with mold spores all our lives.
<br />Without molds we would all be struggling with large amounts of
<br />dead organic matter.
<br />Mold breaks down organic matter in the environment and uses the
<br />end product for its food. Mold spores (like plant pollen) spread
<br />through the air and are commonly transported by shoes, clothing
<br />and other materials. When excess moisture is present inside a
<br />dwelling, mold can grow. A 2004 Federal Centers for Disease
<br />Control and Prevention study found that there is currently no
<br />scientific evidence that the accumulation of mold causes any
<br />significant health risks for person with normally functioning
<br />immune systems. Nonetheless, appropriate precautions need to be
<br />taken.
<br />8.3 PREVENTING MOLD BEGINS WITH YOU
<br />In order to minimize the potential for mold growth in your dwelling
<br />you must do the following:
<br />•Keep your dwelling clean--particularly the kitchen, the
<br />bathroom(s), carpets and floors. Regular vacuuming,
<br />mopping and using a household cleaner to clean hard surfaces
<br />is important to remove the household dirt and debris that
<br />harbor mold or food for mold. Immediately
<br />•Remove visible moisture accumulation on windows, walls,
<br />ceilings, floors and other surfaces as soon as reasonably
<br />possible.
<br />•Look for leaks in washing machine hoses and discharge lines--
<br />especially if the leak is large enough for water to infiltrate
<br />nearby walls. Turn on any exhaust fans in the bathroom and
<br />kitchen before you start showering or cooking with open pots.
<br />When showering, be sure to keep the shower curtain inside
<br />the tub or fully close the shower doors. Also, the experts
<br />recommend that after taking a shower or bath, you: (1) wipe
<br />moisture off of shower walls, shower doors, the bathtub and
<br />the bathroom floor; (2) leave the bathroom door open until all
<br />moisture on the mirrors and bathroom walls and tile surfaces
<br />has dissipated; and (3) hang up your towels and bath mats so
<br />they will completely dry out.
<br />•Promptly notify us in writing about any air conditioning or
<br />heating system problems you discover. Follow our rules, if
<br />any, regarding replacement of air filters. Also, it is
<br />recommended that you periodically open windows and doors
<br />on days when the outdoor weather is dry (i.e., humidity is
<br />below 50 percent) to help humid areas of your dwelling dry
<br />out.
<br />•Promptly notify us in writing about any signs of water leaks,
<br />water infiltration or mold. We will respond in accordance
<br />with state law and the Lease Contract to repair or remedy the
<br />situation, as necessary.
<br />•Keep thermostat set to automatically circulate air in the event
<br />temperatures rise above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
<br />8.4 IN ORDER TO AVOID MOLD GROWTH
<br />It is important to prevent excessive moisture buildup in your
<br />dwelling. Failure to promptly pay attention to leaks and moisture
<br />that might accumulate on dwelling surfaces or that might get inside
<br />walls or ceilings can encourage mold growth. Prolonged moisture
<br />can result from a wide variety of sources, such as:
<br />•rainwater leaking from roofs, windows, doors and outside
<br />walls, as well as flood waters rising above floor level;
<br />•overflows from showers, bathtubs, toilets, lavatories, sinks,
<br />washing machines, dehumidifiers, refrigerator or A/C drip
<br />pans or clogged up A/C condensation lines;
<br />•leaks from plumbing lines or fixtures, and leaks into walls
<br />from bad or missing grouting/caulking around showers, tubs
<br />or sinks;
<br />•washing machine hose leaks, plant watering overflows, pet
<br />urine, cooking spills, beverage spills and steam from excessive
<br />open-pot cooking;
<br />•leaks from clothes dryer discharge vents (which can put lots of
<br />moisture into the air); and
<br />•insufficient drying of carpets, carpet pads, shower walls and
<br />bathroom floors.
<br />8.5 IF SMALL AREAS OF MOLD HAVE ALREADY
<br />OCCURRED ON NON-POROUS SURFACES
<br />(such as ceramic tile, formica, vinyl flooring, metal, wood or plastic),
<br />the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends
<br />that you first clean the areas with soap (or detergent) and water,
<br />let the surface dry, and then within 24 hours apply a pre-mixed,
<br />spray-on-type household biocide, such as Lysol Disinfectant®, Pine-
<br />Sol Disinfectant® (original pine-scented), Tilex Mildew Remover®
<br />or Clorox Cleanup®. (Note: Only a few of the common household
<br />cleaners will actually kill mold). Tilex® and Clorox® contain bleach
<br />which can discolor or stain.Be sure to follow the instructions on
<br />the container.Applying biocides without first cleaning away the
<br />dirt and oils from the surface is like painting over old paint without
<br />first cleaning and preparing the surface. Always clean and apply a
<br />biocide to an area 5 or 6 times larger than any visible mold because
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