How can I address the problem of black mold in my apartment?

We moved into our apartment in october of last year. It was only supposed to be temporary until a 3 bedroom, newer renovated apartment came open for us. (I was expecting my 3rd child). There were several things we noted on our initial walk through that was previous damage. As it was only temporary we agreed to move in. WHen this new apartment became available we were suddenly denied the lease transfer saying that we would have to sub lease, but in our original rental agreement is strictly forbids subleasing (illegal in florida). So we sought to have the problems fixed. This included Window structure, carpeting, faulty wiring, broken stove, non working air conditioning, and a growing black mold problem. Now, my new born is 5 months old, and we still don’t have a single thing fixed. The black mold as we later discovered is a horrible infestation problem throughout our air ducts and in our walls.
normally we are healthy people, but we have been ill pretty much the whole time we have lived here.
My son has experienced tooth lose, my daughter has respiratory problems and skin rashes. I experience insomnia and dizziness, my husband has had several urinary tract infections, and my new born has had a constant runny nose. These are all symptoms of black mold.
We have submitted a written intent of stop payment of rent until these problems are fixed, or we are offered to move into the still empty 3 bedroom apartment. but as that time as since elapsed we were forced to pay rent because we can not afford to move. So what do I do now? How do I combat an out of state landlord that refuses to fix previous problems and is intent on blaming it all on us. I know that there are at least 5 other residents that are going through the same thing. so,
can we start a class action suit?
What can I do ? I can’t afford to move.

FLORIDA

Don’t need to read the whole thing (very long!) to answer your initial q…
the landlord is legally responsible for all property upkeep. Toxic mold is illegal to rent or sell a property affected with and requires immediate and legal remedy. Notify your landlord in writing of the concern and tell him you appreciate the immediate and lawful remedy so that further action doesn’t become necessary (a veiled threat is less likely to get his gander up) If he fails to comply, you can report him to the EPA, however, realize you may be forced to leave while he is forced to remedy it because black mold is deemed toxic.

If you want to do this personally…depending on how large the affected area, bleach will kill the mold. Saturate the affected area until the mold is all gone. Then seal the area with a Kilz type product and repaint. The problem is that until the issue that caused the leak that grew the mold is resolved, it will continue to come back; but for that, your landlord is required.

Real estate laws differ by State, so it’s best to contact a Florida real estate attorney to learn your rights in your region…I know in my State, it is lawful to withhold rent for the time the property was in disrepair and until the problem is remedied…this doesn’t mean you can spend the rent, and it has to be in an escrowed account, but he is not automatically entitled to receive it either, and often, a court will determine what is acceptable. Try to do this peacefully first though, because a pissed off landlord can make your home life miserable.