Ok I apologize for not reading through all posts, this may be redundant but I know A LOT about this and I don't have time to read all posts. My parents are landlords and they CAN RUIN YOUR CREDIT unless you sue them/ are released from the lease THEY DONT HAVE TO SUE YOU to RUIN YOUR CREDIT. All they have to do is go to court, show you didn't pay, and BAM.
Here's what you do. You go to the landlord with a CLEAR BIG pic of the mold. Smile very sweet/psychotic and say, "If you don't let me out of my lease (they have to fill out forms that you both sign) I am taking this down to the Housing authority and you will be shut down and QUARANTINED YOU M'FERS (ok leave out the cusses) until you clean it up. NOW let me out of the lease and I won't call the HOUSING AUTHORITY. You have 3 business days to have the paperwork ready you M F'ing son of a female dog (leave that part out-think of the subliminal guy on saturday night live and just be nice).
Act like you will go to the Housing authority. IF they don't let you out legally, go immediately to the housing authority, everyone will be evacuated due to massive paranoia about toxic mold, and you will be out of your lease.
Then LAUGH YOUR ARSE OFF WHILE YOU GO TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND BUST THEM ANYWAY.
There are standards that all of us can and should expect to live in. This is inexcusable.
Ronda