Blastomycosis/basement flooding/landlord negligence

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Hello! I rent an apartment in the south side. The basement regularly floods when it rains. I have submitted many maintance requests to my landlords to please fix the flooding, dating back at least a year.

My indoor cat just had surgery to remove a mas that is testing to be blastomycosis. A fungal infection that grows by standing water.

I have tons of video and pictures of standing water being left to "evaporate" in my basement. My indoor cat has not gone outside or been exposed to soil for years. I firmly believe her infection came from the basement.

I am terrified that there are more spores in the basement. I am in a first floor unit with hardwood floors where u can see the basement thru the gaps in the flooring.

Who do I contact to make sure the apartment is safe to reside in? I dont currently have anywhere else to stay with my cat.

Do we have recommendations for tenant lawyers? I need to move as soon as possible but paying for my cats surgery has drained my savings. I wasnt prepared to need to leave so abruptly. I need to be able to leave my lease.

If anyone knows of any clean, dry properties to rent I can afford up to 750 a month. I have amazing rental history, have never been late paying rent and regularly pay a few days early (usually on the opay day before its due). I have just the one cat whose prognosis for survival is 18% so soon will likely have no pets.

Posted Jul 29, 2025, 6:28 AM UTC

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