Candi Mullen of Renee Street in Russellville is at the end of her rope and she doesn’t know where to turn having been turned away from everyone she has asked for help.

Mullen addressed the Russellville City Council last week, asking them if they would help her with an ordinance that would provide renters additional rights when it comes to health concerns within their homes.

Mullen, who never named her landlord, said the home she has been renting for a year was being “taken over by mold.”

She said despite her continued efforts to get the landlord to fix the problem, all she got was a notice to vacate the premises within 30 days.

“As a citizen, a taxpayer, and someone who pays their rent on time, I would like to change things for renters,” said Mullen adding that everywhere she has gone for help she has been told she has no rights.

“I pay rent for a service I am not getting and that is not fair,” she said.

Mullen doesn’t want the expense of moving. She said although she does not want to live in the residence the way it is, she can’t afford to move either.

“When you move there is the cost of moving and new deposits,” said Mullen. “I have children and I am afraid for their health. The mold is terrible. We didn’t notice this problem when we moved in but after we did I began asking the landlord if he could fix it. He told us he didn’t have the money but then I saw where he took his family to Disney World and I realized that wasn’t the case.”

One of the things Mullen would like to see the council pass is a Uniform Residential Landlord & Tenant Act. A version of the Act has already been passed in two of Kentucky’s largest cities – Lexington and Louisville –but has failed to pass in Warren County, where it was recently introduced.

Mullen said she has contacted the health department and her state representatives and has gotten no help. She said she does not know who to turn to and is very angry that renters have no rights when it comes to the safety of their families.

“The way it is now is if you don’t like it then get out,” said Mullin.

Russellville Code Enforcement officer Hope Strode said her hands are tied as well. She said the city’s code enforcement branch only has say over the exterior of a dwelling.

“I feel bad for Mrs. Mullen and this problem and I understand her frustration but other than the city passing the Uniform Residential Landlord & Tenant Act, I’m afraid there is nothing we can do about it either,” said Strode.

Russellville Mayor Gene Zick said the mold in Mullen’s rental home was horrible. He told his council Tuesday that Mrs. Mullen had invited him into her home to see the mold.

“These are terrible living conditions and nobody should have to live that way,” said Zick, adding the windows and carpet were black from the mold.

According to City Utilities and Safety Director Wayne Thomas, there is mold even growing on the bed posts.

“When we asked the landlord what to do about the mold he told us to get some bleach and wipe it off,” said Mullen, who doesn’t believe that will stop the problem that is occurring.

Councilman Jimmy Davenport asked if the issue even came under the city’s jurisdiction or was it something Mrs. Mullen needed to take up in the legal system. Mayor Zick said she needed to make it public and then the city needed to look into passing the Act.

Zick told Mullen at Tuesday’s meeting the city attorney would look into the Act and what needs to be done to get it passed and protect the renter.

“My concern is this issue is falling between the cracks and I don’t know how anyone can stand by and do nothing to help,” said Zick.

* There is a Kentucky Revised Statute (383.595) which gives specific guidelines to a landlord’s maintenance obligations and agreements if a Residential Landlord & Tenant Act is passed.

The statute says a landlord shall comply with the requirements of applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety and they hall make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition and to keep all common areas of the premises in a clean and safe condition and to maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and other facilitates and appliances, including elevators, supplied or required to be supplied by him.