The short answer
Before you sign, check closets, bathrooms, ceilings, window frames and the AC for stains, smells and moisture, photograph everything with dates, and ask about past leaks. Keep indoor humidity below 60 percent. If you find mold, report it in writing and call UF Student Legal Services at (352) 392-5297.
Before you sign
Walk-through checklist
- Smell the unit. A musty smell can mean hidden moisture.
- Look at ceilings and corners for stains or bubbling paint.
- Check under sinks and around the toilet and tub.
- Open closets, especially on exterior walls.
- Look at the AC closet, drip pan and drain line.
- Check window frames and sills for dark spots.
- Ask about past leaks, flooding and mold, and about the AC service schedule.
- Photograph everything with the date.
While you live there
Prevent it
- Run bathroom fans and keep the AC on a steady setting.
- Do not pack furniture tight against exterior walls.
- Dry wet towels and clothes. Do not leave them in a pile.
- Buy a hygrometer and keep humidity below 60 percent (EPA). See humidity.
- Report leaks right away, in writing.
If you find mold
Do this
- Photograph and date it.
- Send a written note. See the letter templates.
- Talk to your roommates and keep everyone on the same page.
- Call UF Student Legal Services at (352) 392-5297 or sls@ufsa.ufl.edu.
- See your rights.
Moving out
Protect your deposit
Take dated photos of every room before you leave, and keep copies of every message about mold or repairs.
Before you sign
Check the unit when you tour
- Smell the air in closets, bathrooms and bedrooms; a musty odor is a warning
- Look for ceiling stains, bubbling paint and soft baseboards
- Open the air-handler closet and look for rust, water in the pan and damp insulation
- Check under sinks and around the toilet for dampness
- Ask when the AC was last serviced and whether the drain line is cleaned
- Ask about past leaks or mold, and whether there is a mold addendum in the lease
- Check windows and sliding doors for gaps and water stains
Move-in day
Document before you unpack
- Photograph every room, closet and bathroom, including the ceilings and under the sinks.
- Write down any stains, smells or damage on the move-in form and keep a copy.
- Email the photos and notes to the property manager the same day.
- Buy a small hygrometer. EPA recommends indoor humidity between 30 and 50 percent.
- Set the thermostat so the AC runs; do not leave it off.
During the year
Habits that prevent mold
- Run the bathroom fan during and after showers
- Wipe the shower and keep wet towels off the floor
- Keep furniture a few inches off exterior walls and avoid packing closets tight
- Do not leave wet laundry in a hamper or the washer
- Report leaks and drips right away in writing
- Keep the AC on when you travel over breaks, especially in summer
If you find mold
Steps for a student tenant
- Photograph it and note the date.
- Send a written notice to the landlord or property manager.
- Keep your belongings dry and move valuables away from the damp area.
- If it is small and on a hard surface, clean it with detergent and water, wearing gloves, goggles and an N-95 respirator.
- If it is large, hidden or recurring, ask for a licensed remediator.
See the notice letter template and who to call about mold.
Help on campus
Where UF students can ask
The University of Florida’s student legal services can explain leases and tenant rights for eligible students, and the City of Gainesville and Alachua County handle housing code complaints. Parents or guarantors who signed the lease may need to be included in communications. Check each office’s current services before you call.
Move-out
Protect your deposit
Photograph each room again when you leave, including closets and the AC closet. Keep the move-in and move-out photos together. If a charge is claimed for mold or moisture, ask for photos, estimates and invoices in writing.
Quick scorecard
Red, yellow and green flags
- Green: dry closets, clean AC closet, humidity under 50 percent, no stains, prompt maintenance responses
- Yellow: faint musty smell, old stains that look dry, a landlord who cannot say when the AC was serviced
- Red: active leaks, wet carpet, visible mold, a landlord who dismisses questions or asks you to sign away mold claims
A red flag during a tour is a reason to ask more questions or choose another unit. A lease is a commitment, and mold problems are much easier to avoid than to fix after you have moved in.
Ask your landlord
Questions worth sending in an email
- Has this unit had water leaks, flooding or mold in the past three years?
- When was the AC last serviced and the drain line cleared?
- Is there a mold or moisture addendum in the lease?
- How do I report maintenance after hours?
- What is the policy on mold reports and repairs?
Keep the answers. A landlord who replies in writing has made a record you can use later.
More questions
More questions, answered
Is mold common in student housing near UF
Any warm, humid place with a lot of showers, closed closets and occasional vacancy can develop mold. It is not unique to one building.
Can mold affect my asthma or allergies
The CDC says people with asthma and allergies are more likely to have problems around mold. Talk to a doctor if your symptoms are worse at home.
What if I sublet over the summer
Make sure the AC stays on and someone checks the unit. A closed, unconditioned apartment in Florida summer can grow mold quickly.
Questions
Common questions
Who do I talk to on campus?
UF Student Legal Services is at the Reitz Union, (352) 392-5297.
Does my roommate share the lease responsibility?
That depends on your lease. Ask legal services.
Should I test for mold before moving in?
Usually a careful look is enough. See testing.
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 in your apartmentYour rights.
- Mold notice letterTemplates.
- UF area homesLocal context.
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.