An Auburn Hills family says a black mold infestation in the manufactured home they rented kept their kids so sick they wound up at doctors' offices and hospital emergency rooms nearly 100 times. They describe dark growth on surfaces, a lingering musty smell that never really left, and respiratory flare-ups that became part of the household routine. The parents laid out their account to local television reporters late Monday.
According to ClickOnDetroit, the trouble started after the family moved into a unit at the Oakland Estates manufactured-home community. The parents told the station their children were repeatedly treated for breathing problems and other illnesses, and the outlet's online story includes video from inside the home along with interviews detailing the kids' ongoing health issues.
Oakland Estates is listed in industry directories as a manufactured-home community in Auburn Hills, including an entry on MHVillage, which offers park and sales-office details to prospective renters and buyers. Listings of that sort typically flag whether a community has an on-site office and an active stock of homes available to lease or purchase.
Public health agencies have long warned that indoor mold and damp buildings can trigger or worsen respiratory problems, especially for children and people living with asthma. The CDC links exposure in moist, moldy spaces to increased coughing, wheezing and other breathing troubles, while the EPA stresses that stopping moisture at its source and removing contaminated materials are the crucial first steps to protect health.
Landlords' legal duties and tenant options
Under Michigan law, rental housing comes with an implied warranty of habitability that requires landlords to keep properties "fit for the use intended" and in line with health and safety rules. That standard is outlined in guidance from the Michigan Courts. Tenants who believe their living conditions threaten health can pursue remedies under state landlord-tenant law, though what is available, and how fast, depends on the specific circumstances and may involve getting a lawyer or going to court.
State guidance and next steps
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services publishes fact sheets that walk residents through spotting and cleaning mold, and it recommends hiring trained professionals when growth is extensive or poses serious health risks. MDHHS materials also note that the agency does not routinely inspect private homes, instead steering renters toward cleanup tips and local public health contacts for more hands-on assistance.
ClickOnDetroit's report remains the main public record of the family's allegations, and that piece does not include a response from Oakland Estates management. Tenant advocates and public health experts generally urge families in similar situations to document problems and all communication with landlords, seek prompt medical care for anyone showing symptoms, and lean on EPA and MDHHS guidance while weighing repair options or possible legal action.
