It's Slim Time - Mold Woes Grow

By Greg Wilson
Daily News City Hall Bureau
December 15, 2006

Legendary socialite Bianca Jagger and Harlem single mom Tangia Edwards found common ground on the steps of City Hall yesterday, describing how mold infested their homes and sickened them while landlords did little to help.

"Mold is a dangerous threat, regardless of where one lives or how much rent one pays," said Jagger, 60, who was forced to leave her Park Ave. pad four years ago because of mold.

Edwards tearfully told how she and her three sons suffer from asthma, headaches and memory loss because of mold at their St. Nicholas Ave. home.

"We just want a decent place to live," she said.

Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, who called the news conference, said the Department of Health saw mold complaints increase to 16,452 from 861 in 1999-2004.

She called on the city to make mold infestation a separate housing code violation with stiffer fines for landlords and require licenses for people who inspect mold problems.

"Mold exposure is a serious health concern in New York City," Gotbaum said. "Yet there is no established and enforceable protocol for mold assessment and remediation."

Jagger sued landlord Katz Park Ave. Corp. in 2003 for $20 million and must pay her $4,614 monthly rent into an escrow account while living elsewhere and as she continues her legal fight. Katz lawyer James Davies did not return messages.

Edwards said that she is still living in her unit, and accused her landlord of harassing her for complaining.

Her landlord, Bronx-based Prestige Management, declined to comment.