Business ProfileforRustic Properties, Inc.

I began renting a property from Rustic Properties November 2021. On Thanksgiving, a serious leak was found in the kitchen. After a few days (we had no use of water during this time) someone came to fix it and found black mold, we had unknowingly been living with this mold for a month, it was found under a water filtration system under the sink and went under the living room floor. We then had our entire kitchen and living room floor tore out. It took 6 months for this process. During this time, I was told not to pay rent. I was not told theyd be expecting back pay. I am now being told I owe $9,000 in back rent for that time. I became sick because of the black mold and didnt have a kitchen or living room for those 6 months, and was not given a safe place to live while the black mold was in the house. During that time I had to eat out or at other peoples houses which became expensive quickly. I believe I shouldnt be held responsible for rent since I was living in black mold and didnt have full use of a house for 6 months. I expressed this to rustic properties and was told I was being charged half rent for that time because I at least had half a house. That is unprofessional and unsafe. I dont have money for a lawyer but feel this isnt right. Please help.