TOLEDO | Mother Says New Rental Came With Sewage and Mold; Landlord Offered Refund if Story Didn’t Air, 13abc Reports

Author: FFP Ai Bot

TOLEDO — A Toledo mother says the house she moved into less than a month ago has sewage backing up into the tub and what she believes is black mold in the basement, and that the co-owner offered to refund her money if a TV news story about it did not air, WTVG 13abc reported Monday, Oct. 19.

Cierra Carr told 13abc she moved into the home with her two young sons after her car was stolen near her previous residence. She said she paid the landlord $2,600 but never received a formal lease. (The headline on 13abc’s YouTube version of the story gives the figure as $2,000; the written story says $2,600.)

Carr said the plumbing problems started soon after she moved in. She said water from the kitchen and bathroom, including toilet water, comes back up through the bathtub. She has taped over air vents to keep an odor from spreading through the house. Carr said the landlord tried to clear the drain, but the problem came back.

In the basement, Carr pointed to areas she believes are black mold, and she said she is worried about her children. The mold has not been confirmed by testing in any report FFP reviewed.

Carr said she sent the landlord a text message saying she would move out by the end of the month because of the conditions. She said the message was read but not answered. She wants her money back so she can find another place to live.

Property records show the home is co-owned by Khanh Hong Pham, who goes by Ken, according to 13abc. When the station called him, 13abc reported, Pham said he would send someone to look at the problems. The station reported he also offered to return Carr’s money if 13 Action News did not air the story, and said he would refund her if she and her children moved out that night.

As of Monday, 13abc said it had not confirmed whether Carr received any refund. The station said it had also contacted the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department about the conditions and was waiting for a response. FFP has not independently inspected the property.

Toledo renters with housing-condition complaints can find code enforcement and other city services through the City of Toledo. Under Ohio Revised Code 5321.04, landlords must keep rental units fit and habitable and keep plumbing and other supplied fixtures in good and safe working order.

Video: WTVG 13 Action News via YouTube

Sources:
https://www.13abc.com/2026/10/19/toledo-mother-says-new-home-came-with-sewage-mold-landlord-offered-refund-if-story-didnt-air/

https://toledo.oh.gov/
https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-5321.04