Finding mold-free Portland, OR apartment?
March 15, 2022 2:08 PM Subscribe
I want to move to Portland, Oregon, and find 1BDRM apartment in a nice neighborhood. Due to many years spent in mold-compromised lodging, I am sensitized to it, and must ensure that my new apartment does not have mold issues.
I'm planning a move from the Midwest USA to Portland, Oregon. I will fly there in April and spend a week viewing apartments. If it weren't for mold concerns, I would just find something that meets my other criteria (space, good sunlight, location, peace and quiet) and I'd be set. However, I need a place that does not have mold issues. I recognize that every space has some amount of mold in it, however, there is common, mostly harmless mold that is found everywhere, then there are types that are far more dangerous to one's health. I must avoid the latter.
Ideally, before renting a place, I would run an ERMI test on it. However, because it takes at least seven days to get results, I'm not sure how to handle this (timing) vs. signing a lease. I am concerned that many property management companies are oblivious to these concerns, they just want to get their space rented, and it's very unusual for a tenant to pre-test a space like this. They might even object to my swabbing light fixtures and such when I tour a space.
I will focus on new construction. No old buildings!
I'd love to hear from someone who has faced similar challenges.
I'm planning a move from the Midwest USA to Portland, Oregon. I will fly there in April and spend a week viewing apartments. If it weren't for mold concerns, I would just find something that meets my other criteria (space, good sunlight, location, peace and quiet) and I'd be set. However, I need a place that does not have mold issues. I recognize that every space has some amount of mold in it, however, there is common, mostly harmless mold that is found everywhere, then there are types that are far more dangerous to one's health. I must avoid the latter.
Ideally, before renting a place, I would run an ERMI test on it. However, because it takes at least seven days to get results, I'm not sure how to handle this (timing) vs. signing a lease. I am concerned that many property management companies are oblivious to these concerns, they just want to get their space rented, and it's very unusual for a tenant to pre-test a space like this. They might even object to my swabbing light fixtures and such when I tour a space.
I will focus on new construction. No old buildings!
I'd love to hear from someone who has faced similar challenges.
Memail me - we have a vacant condo we're about to put on the rental market, in a 15 year old building that is mold-free. Since it's vacant, waiting a week wouldn't be an issue.
posted by pdb at 5:16 PM on March 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by pdb at 5:16 PM on March 15, 2022 [4 favorites]
From an anonymous user:
I never thought I'd be happy living in a new build apartment, OR renting from a big property management company, but I've been extremely happy renting from this company for the last 3+ years: https://www.portland-apartment-living.com/ I'd drop them a line and explain your situation. It isn't the cheapest place in the city, I'm consistently shocked by how good they've been.posted by travelingthyme at 8:51 PM on March 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by hungrytiger at 3:15 PM on March 15, 2022