If you rent in Southeastern Pennsylvania and find mold, tell your landlord in writing first and keep a copy. If it isn’t fixed, contact your township, borough or city code office. Some counties also take housing complaints.
What should a tenant do first?
- Photograph the mold and any leak or water source.
- Notify the landlord in writing with the date and location.
- Keep copies of messages and responses.
- Reduce moisture where you can, such as running bathroom fans.
- Don’t disturb large areas of mold yourself.
Who do I contact in each county?
| County | County contact | Local contact |
|---|---|---|
| Bucks | Bucks County Department of Health, Housing Hygiene and Sanitation Program. Written complaints on form SA-2 or by letter, 215-345-3333. | Township or borough code office |
| Montgomery | The county Office of Public Health directs residents with landlord problems to local code enforcement. | Township or borough code enforcement |
| Chester | Chester County Health Department accepts residential dwelling complaints, 610-344-6225. | Borough, township or city codes office |
| Delaware | Delaware County Health Department Wellness Line, (484) 276-2100. | Township or borough code office |
Do local towns inspect rentals?
Many do, and the rules differ. A few examples from official municipal pages:
- Phoenixville requires a yearly rental license and an annual inspection for each unit.
- West Chester requires landlords to renew a rental license each year.
- Bensalem inspects rental units before a change in occupancy.
- Pottstown handles rental licensing and inspections through Licensing and Inspections.
Information for landlords
Fix the moisture source, not just the stain. For areas over about 10 square feet, the EPA suggests an experienced professional. Use a registered Pennsylvania home improvement contractor for repair work.
How getting help works
SEPA Mold Removal is a free referral service, not a mold company. You describe the problem in the form, and independent local mold companies contact you to set up an inspection or a quote.
Questions to ask the company that comes out
- What is your Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration number?
- Which mold certifications does your crew hold, such as IICRC AMRT or ACAC?
- Will I get a written scope covering containment, HEPA filtration and how the moisture source gets fixed?
- Is the inspection or testing done by an independent assessor, separate from the company doing the removal?
- How will you confirm the job is finished? Ask about post-remediation verification or clearance testing.
- Can you send a certificate of insurance and your warranty terms in writing?
Rental mold questions
Your landlord first, in writing. Then your local code office. Some counties also take housing complaints.
County housing programs handle complaints about conditions. Testing usually isn’t needed when mold is visible, according to the EPA.
That is a legal question. Contact a lawyer or legal aid office for advice.
Yes. Landlords can request quotes from independent mold companies the same way.
Get matched with a local mold company
Tell us what you’re seeing and where. The service is free. Most property owners hear from a local mold company in 24 hours or less.
SEPA Mold Removal is a free referral service. Your request goes to independent local companies through a partner network. See our Privacy Policy.
Sources
- Bucks County: Housing Hygiene and Sanitation
- Montgomery County Public Health FAQs
- Chester County: Submit a Health Complaint
- Delaware County: Division of Environmental Health
- Phoenixville Borough: Inspections
- West Chester Borough: Codes
- Bensalem Township: Building and Planning
- EPA: Mold Cleanup in Your Home
Last reviewed: October 2026