The short answer
Start with your landlord, in writing. If nothing happens, call City of Gainesville code enforcement at 352-334-5030. For health questions, call the Florida Department of Health indoor air program at 850-245-4288 or Alachua County at 352-334-7900. For legal help, students can call UF Student Legal Services at (352) 392-5297, and others Three Rivers Legal Services at (866) 256-8091.
By situation
Who fits
| If this is you | Call |
|---|---|
| The landlord has not been told yet | Your landlord or property manager, in writing |
| The landlord ignored a written notice | City of Gainesville Code Enforcement, 352-334-5030, codes@cityofgainesville.org |
| You are sick, or worried about health | Your doctor first. Florida DOH indoor air quality, 850-245-4288, or DOH-Alachua, 352-334-7900 |
| You are a UF student with a lease problem | UF Student Legal Services, (352) 392-5297, sls@ufsa.ufl.edu, Reitz Union |
| You are a non-student with limited income | Three Rivers Legal Services, (866) 256-8091 |
| You suspect an unlicensed mold company | DBPR, 850-487-1395, or 1-866-532-1440 for unlicensed activity |
| You own the property | A licensed remediator. See mold in a rental property |
The City tenant-rights guide we reviewed is dated March 2021 and does not mention mold, so ask code enforcement directly what they can inspect. Phone numbers can change, so confirm before you call.
Code enforcement
Alachua County Code Administration
Alachua County Code Administration enforces county codes and Florida Statutes chapter 162. Call (352) 374-5238 or email Codes@alachuacounty.us. The office is at 12 SE 1st Street, Gainesville, FL 32601, open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. A complaint needs a name and an address. Check the county website for current contact details before you visit.
By cause
Match the problem to the person
- Dripping pipe, toilet or water heater: a licensed plumber
- Roof or window leak: a licensed roofer or window contractor, plus the landlord or HOA if you do not own the building
- AC dripping, wet air handler or sweating ducts: a licensed AC technician
- Visible mold over about 10 square feet or inside walls: a licensed mold remediator
- Need documentation or a clearance check: an independent licensed mold assessor
- Covered damage: your insurer, as soon as possible
- Rental unit: the landlord or property manager, in writing
- Condo: the association, in writing
- Health symptoms: your doctor
Order of calls
A sensible sequence
- Stop the water if you can.
- Call the trade that fixes the source.
- Notify the landlord, association or insurer.
- Call a remediator for an inspection and estimate.
- Hire an assessor if you need testing or clearance.
- Keep the paperwork together.
The order matters. Cleaning before the source is fixed wastes money. Calling the insurer after the materials are thrown away can weaken a claim.
Remediator vs assessor
Two different licenses
Florida splits mold work into two license types so that the person who finds mold is not the person who profits from cleaning it. An assessor inspects, samples and writes protocols. A remediator removes and cleans. Under section 468.8419, the same company generally cannot do both on the same property within 12 months. PureGuard Restoration is a remediator and does not test for mold. See assessor versus remediator.
What to ask
Questions for any first call
- Are you licensed in Florida for this work, and what is your license number?
- Can you come out to see it, and how soon?
- What will the estimate include?
- Will you fix the cause or only the mold?
- What happens if you find more behind the wall?
Local offices
Public help in Gainesville
For housing code concerns, contact the City of Gainesville or Alachua County code enforcement. For consumer complaints about a contractor, contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services or the Attorney General’s office. For license problems, use the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. See local mold resources.
Not sure
Call us first
If you cannot tell which of these applies, call (352) 668-9909 or send photos. We will tell you who to call, even if it is not us.
Cost check
What each call may cost
- A plumber, roofer or AC technician: the repair, often a service fee for the visit
- A mold remediator: many offer a free estimate; cost guides put professional work at roughly $10 to $25 per square foot
- An independent assessor: inspection and sampling fees vary, and a post-remediation check is typically around $300 to $500
- An attorney: some offer a short consultation; legal aid is free for eligible tenants
See mold remediation cost in Gainesville for ranges.
More questions
More questions, answered
Who should I call first about mold
Whoever can stop the water: plumber, roofer or AC tech. Then call a remediator for the mold itself.
Do I call my insurance before a remediator
Generally yes, if you think damage might be covered. Take photos first and ask what the insurer needs.
Is the health department responsible for mold in homes
Local health departments may give advice, but code enforcement or your landlord usually handles housing issues. Ask your local office what it covers.
Can the same company inspect and clean
Not under Florida’s 12-month rule (section 468.8419). Use an independent assessor for testing and a separate licensed remediator for cleanup.
What if I am not sure the problem is mold
Send photos or call anyway. A stain, dirt or water damage can look like mold, and a quick look can save you from paying for the wrong fix.
Should I tell my neighbors
If the source is a shared wall, roof or pipe, yes. It helps the building fix the cause and protects you from a dispute later.
Questions
Common questions
Is this page the same as your local resources page?
No. The local mold resources page lists agencies. This one matches a tenant situation to a call.
Can code enforcement force my landlord to fix it?
Ask them. Their authority depends on the code issue. Do not assume.
Sources
Sources and review
Last updated November 8, 2026.
This page is general information, not legal advice. For your situation, talk to a Florida attorney or a legal aid office.
Keep reading
Related guides
- Mold notice letterTemplates.
- Mold in your apartmentYour rights.
- Local mold resourcesAgencies.
Get a quote
Get a written quote for your Gainesville mold problem
Send a few photos and a short description, and PureGuard Restoration will come back with a written scope of work and price. We will get back to you as soon as we can.
- Call(352) 668-9909
- Text photos(352) 668-9909
- Or use the formName, phone, ZIP code, and what happened.
Ask for the license number when someone calls you back. You can check it on the state lookup.
About us: PureGuard Restoration is a mold remediation company serving Gainesville and Alachua County. We do not test for mold.
Request your written quote
What helps most in the first message
- Where the mold is and roughly how big it looks. A coin, a hand or a sheet of paper next to it helps.
- Where you think the water came from, and whether it’s fixed.
- When you first noticed it, and whether there was a leak, storm or AC problem before that.
- Whether you own, rent or manage the property, and whether you plan to involve insurance.