Responding to Tenant Maintenance Request

[Krista Olen]

I am wondering if anyone has advice on how to respond to a tenant's email l recieved today. The tenant said there is "black mold" in both toilet bowls in the townhouse they rent from me. The "mold" keeps reappearing even when they clean it consistently. The tenant is worried it is dangerous even though they are not 100% certain it is mold. I essentially told them I can't really help because it doesn't sound like it is due to a defect or that the toilet needs a repair.

I know this might sound like a trivial question, but I am always curious how others respond to tenant requests.

I want to be polite, but also clear about what is my role as a landlord and what is their role as a tenant. Is there more I should be doing here or am I missing something?

[Scott M.]

If this were my house I would send the maintenance crew and check it out to see what the issue really is.  At this point, neither one of you know anything so how can any decisions be made.  The odds of this being "black mold" in the way she means is is slim to none but tenants love to claim everything is.

Send a crew, understand the issue and then you will know how to respond.  If there is an issue, address it.  If not, then you have something for the memory banks.  But check it out to be certain.  

If you don't, this will turn into a "health issue" shortly, best to nip it in the bud before the drama explodes.