Water in the Basement - Responsibility for Drainage

[Cleanliving]

My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: CT

House to be potentially rented-there is a HUGE crack in the basement wall that runs from the top of the basement to the bottom. We've had ridiculous amounts of rain this past month and it def. shows in the basement. There's a stream of water running form the wall to a hole in the basement floor for drainage. Not sure if it's dirt or mold, but it's black (on the floor, on the path/stream of water. I'm hoping it's dirt. the walls of the basement (about 2 feet up from the bottom) have what appear to be mineral deposits stained. The house has water drainage/leakage issues in the basement- it clearly needs help, but landlord clearly states that it's been like this for over a decade and there is no plan to repair or fix this crack or continual water issues in the basement. Basement is musty... just furnace, water heater, and washer and dryer in basement, unfinished. Rest of the house seems in a-ok shape.

I am concerned about mold. I could clean this area where there could be mold, but it would only come back due to there being water drainage issues. Is landlord legally responsible for fixing the crack/water issues? If he is, and refuses to... I'm not sure what step to take next. When asked about potential mold, I was met with, "There's no mold that I know of." I don't want to deal with mold again...especially death mold. I can deal wtih the crack in the basement- but would a forced air furnace (gas) be getting air supply for heat from the basement? New furnace just put in.... but really would be horrible if the intake was coming from within the basement only to spread God knows what into the air...

Thank you for your time...

[Mr. Knowitall]

Mold grows. Dirt washes in with the rain. If a pile of dirt shows up on a previously floor after it rains, and nothing grows after you clean it up, it's dirt.

If you think you have mold in the home, you can have it tested. I doubt that your landlord, from what you have said, will cover the cost of testing. But if your testing turns up toxic mold the landlord may have to remediate or you may be able to escape the lease.