The Baltimore City Health Department reported three cases of mold violations at the luxury Harborview Condominiums overlooking Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
The violations among the three units range from water-damaged ceilings and water-damaged floors to possible mold coming out of the ventilation system "caused by lack of maintenance to the exterior of the property as well as the ventilation system," the May 17 citation states.
The three units, located at 100 Harborview Drive, had mold and the Health Department notified the condo board, giving it 10 days to repair the problem. The issue was not fixed, resulting in three $100 citations from the department, said Brian Schleter, department spokesman.
"The real issue is the problem has been identified for quite some time, but it hasn't been addressed," said Matt Hjortsberg, an attorney for James Ancel, who lives on the top floor of the condo. He has filed suit against the condo board, which manages the building.
He said it's the board of directors' duty to maintain the common elements of the building, which include ductwork and exterior walls, while residents maintain the spaces inside each unit.
"The board has got to fix these problems in the common elements," he said, saying that the HVAC system on the roof is "broken up, deteriorated, no longer functional," so that it now allows water to enter, causing mold spores in his client's unit.
On Tuesday, concerned residents and owners were invited to attend a meeting on the mold issue, but outsiders were not allowed.