If you are living in a rental property that is currently affected by mold, California’s laws give you the right to have that mold remediated and the problems leading to it fixed. If your landlord fails in that obligation, there are legal remedies available to you.
Matthew de Lira is here to help you if you have been made sick because of mold in your space that your landlord refused to correct. We’ll work to get you full and fair compensation for financial losses, property damage, and the physical, financial, and emotional costs of mold-related illness.
To find out more about how we can help, contact our San Diego toxic mold lawyers today. You can also read on to learn more details about what you can do when there is mold in your rented space.
How do you know if there is mold in your rental property?
In California, your landlord is required to provide a “habitable” home. This means it must be safe to live in and have adequate sanitation and clean common areas. It also means that, as the California Department of Justice explains, your landlord has an obligation to “prevent and fix health hazards, such as fire hazards, visible mold, or dampness.”
To determine if there is mold present in your rental property:
- Look for signs of mold such as discolored patches, bulging wallpaper, peeling paint, or persistent staining.
- Monitor whether your home has a musty or earthy smell, which could be a sign of hidden mold under carpets or inside ductwork.
- Check high-risk locations for leaks, such as under bathroom sinks or in air vents.
- Watch for signs and symptoms of health-related issues. If you have itchy, watery eyes, breathing difficulties, or other complications related to mold and those symptoms disappear when you leave your home for a few days, this is a strong red flag that mold is present.
What can you do if there is mold in your rental property?
If you find mold in your rental property, you should:
- Take photos and videos to document the issue: You’ll want proof that there is mold present, both when you ask the landlord to fix it and in case future conflicts arise.
- Consider getting a mold inspection: A mold inspection can help you confirm the presence of mold and also allows you to determine what type of mold is present, as certain kinds of mold are more dangerous than others.
- Provide notice to your landlord or property manager. You’ll need to alert those in charge of your property that mold is present so they can take steps to remediate it. Be as detailed as possible and provide specific information about the mold.
- Allow time for your landlord or property manager to make fixes. Your landlord should take swift action to remediate the mold, but you do need to give them a reasonable time to find a professional to address the issue. You’ll want to ensure that the mold is eliminated and, if necessary, that the underlying conditions that resulted in the mold (such as a plumbing leak or other source of dampness) are corrected.
- Request a housing inspection. You can contact your local housing department to request an inspection if you believe the mold at your property is a potential code violation.
- Explore legal remedies and contact an attorney. If your landlord does not correct the mold in a timely manner, or if you suffered injuries or damages to your health that you believe the landlord should be responsible for, you should contact a personal injury attorney for help.
Contact a San Diego toxic mold lawyer today for help
Matthew de Lira has spent decades fighting for renters whose landlords contributed to making them sick by failing to correct mold. If you or someone you love was affected, give us a call or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation with a California toxic mold lawyer at our firm.