Mold And Landlord's Obligation in California

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Senate Bill 655 that was passed in 2015 requires property owners to maintain their property, particularly rental property, free from ‘dampness and mold’.
What does that mean? Dampness is higher levels of moisture than should be present in a home/office that will cause mold to grow.
It is important to note that Mold in California Senate Bill 655 itself is defined as ‘microorganisms or fungi’ not necessarily visible mold. Microorganisms include dangerous bacteria along with mold as both are microscopic and usually grow alongside each other.
It is obvious that the landlord’s obligation does not extend to the tenant’s obligation to maintain the property while living there, meaning they have to clean up after themselves and not let mold grow due to not maintaining good home hygiene.
Let’s use an example of a leak that a tenant discovers on the property and the landlord is informed of this. It is obvious it is the landlord’s responsibility to have the leak repaired and say the landlord does this. Is that all there is to do in this case? Certainly not.
The landlord must be diligent and make sure there is no ‘wetness’ in the surrounding building materials due to that leak. It is quite possible, even likely, that mold and bacteria have already started to grow, depending on how long the leak was going on before you found it. Even if the tenant discovered the leak when it happened there will normally be moisture absorbed into the surrounding materials that needs to be removed.
Mold starts growing in 1 to 2 days after getting a water/moisture source depending on which of the 5.1 million species happens to be present at the time. Bacteria starts growing in 3 to 5 days after getting a water source and is considered a health hazard per the CDC which is called ‘grey’ water or category 2 water at this point. In just as little as 2 days more, 5 to 7 days total, this can degrade into ‘black water’ or category 3 water due to more dangerous and acute bacteria growth. This is the same category of water that comes out of your toilet! Does that sound more serious?
Often when the repair is made for the leak the plumber or other repair person or even the landlord themselves will say everything is alright and it is dry. Unfortunately, what they say cannot be trusted since none of them are trained or certified to evaluate the area for moisture and simply are not qualified to make an accurate assessment. The area may feel dry to the touch but there is likely moisture in the material that cannot be readily discerned by touching.
So, what can you do at this point to make sure that there will be no mold or bacteria growing as a result of that leak that was repaired and the landlord has made it clear nothing else will be done? You certainly have the right to live in a safe place and you can and should hire a Certified Professional to inspect for potential moisture and mold. Mold and bacteria testing can be done at this time at the inspection. If the inspector finds ‘elevated moisture levels’ then this an issue that needs to be taken care of. Mold and bacteria will be growing in this situation. It is a scientific fact. A certified company for Applied Microbial Remediation needs to be employed to take care of the situation which the report should show.
When you get the report from the inspector then send it to your landlord so he understands that the area is not dry and that mold and bacteria is growing. Communicate with your landlord your concerns. In this situation you should be able to get a rent credit for the money you spent on the inspector since the landlord was aware of the situation but failed to address it properly as per renter’s rights of California.
What if, after hiring the inspector and sending the report to the landlord, nothing else happens. Meaning, the landlord is being silent, ignores the report or flat out says he/she is not doing anything else? What can you do at this point? You may well need an advocate to assist you in this situation. I have a pdf that can assist you with this. If you would like me to send it to you then simply click the link below to provide your email address and I will get that to you ASAP.
Be sure to click the like button and subscribe as it does help me out. Be sure to check out other videos in this series that may interest you and check back for more.

[@NoMoreGaslighting]

Such helpful information! What a wonderful person. Thank you for sharing your expertise!

[@cbrady1445]

Thank you, Sir for catching my attention with this video! I believe your advice to get professional inspection for mold and testing is going to help me significantly in my situation,

[@almanzacesar9788]

Great video thanks sir I’m lookin into this rn

[@EPimagery]

Thank you for your video, the information is extremely helpful.

[@cynthiapiscesgreen9521]

I moved there was mold and they just painted over it now what do I do

[@healthandsafety1341]

Cynthia, I replied to your other comments to send an email to [e-mail] and I will tell you what you can do.

[@dieadrelouis7086]

How can I get the local code enforcement to support me as the affected citizen and not protect the property owner like Ive had happened by faking hygentist report to narrow the type of mold removal needed it's in the CAVIETY I can't get the city of Santa Rosa not even housing authority to help me

[@healthandsafety1341]

Sorry about you situation. Code enforcement in CA has limited authority and expertise when dealing with mold in or moisture issues in a home. Basically, you need to have your own inspection done by a Hygienist or Microbial consultant like my myself looking for elevated moisture, which means you will have mold, along with possible mold/bacteria testing. Elevated moisture is a violation of Health and Safety code 17920.3 and can make the home uninhabitable. But CIH or CMC as stated above can testify in court on this. Send me an email and can say more at [e-mail]

[@Mikay-zd8qf]

I have been living in a unit with mild caused by a huge roof leak that wasn’t fixed, for over a year. I’ve called the San Rafael code enforcement 5x and filled out their online form 3x but they ignore me. What do I do now?? More mild has grown in the ceiling, it smells like mold. I’ve asked the manager 7x over a year to repair this and they have ignored me.

[@healthandsafety1341]

Code enforcement is not equipped to deal with the issue. You need professional inspection for moisture , doing necessary testing to show issues in the home. You can take this off you rent per Renter's rights of California. Send me an email at [e-mail] if you want to set up a 30 minute consultation to help you navigate this.

[@lalalandhomebuyers6961]

where can I see the law that says I can get reimbursed for the testing? I'd like to include that with my request. thx

[@healthandsafety1341]

Sorry for the late reply. You will notice below the video description that you can send an email to [e-mail]. The law is part of renter's rights of CA. Send me the email I can send you the pdf highlighting this

[@NoteFromSELF]

Don't make the mistake I made. Don't wait until you move out to contact code enforcement or any other agency. You have more power WHILE you are living there. You can invite anyone you want inside when you live there. Once you move, they don't have access.

[@user-lk1qx7gb5o]

Which code enforcement to call?

[@NoteFromSELF]

@@user-lk1qx7gb5o In the county I was in (Kern County), it was just called Kern County Code Compliance. You just have to search for it. Call city hall and they can tell you. Just do it WHILE you live there so you can give them access to see it.

[@mskrystalellison]

Do you do private consults?

[@healthandsafety1341]

HI Krystal, I am in the process of setting this up for Zoom consultations. I can arrange for that when you are ready.

[@cheymc8544]

Thank you for the info. My room has been flooding from heavery rain, a foundation leak. It's been a month the reality management has known, I now see mold development, their excuses they need more than 4 days of nice weather and they get get ahold of the owner. What should I do from here? I'm paying 2,000$ a month

[@healthandsafety1341]

Hi, You need an inspection to document the issues there which you can take off your rent in this case. You can send an email to [e-mail] , You may want to schedule a mold consultation with me to help you deal with this.

[@FollowToTheEnd]

Going through the same thing figure 8pm rental property in Los Angeles is the worse ever ! They won’t do anything

[@healthandsafety1341]

@@FollowToTheEnd send me an email at [e-mail] and we can schedule a mold consultation to help you deal with this.

[@janinesuter3630]

Thank you for this video! We suspected mold and made a DUST TEST (not sure if you are familiar, its from the company we inspect) it displayed that we have mold level 4 which is fairly high what they said. They want to sell us an in person inspection but we are on a budget. Do you think its possible to get out of the lease with just the dust results? And if so how would we best go about it? Thank you so much.

[@healthandsafety1341]

Hello, I don't know if I responded to this in an email. I thought I had. Please send me an email at [e-mail] if I have not.

[@KAIALOHA11]

What is my rights for a sewage leak? In my bedroom.. terrible black water with shared sytem. They are coming to inspect tomorrow..

[@healthandsafety1341]

@@KAIALOHA11 You have several rights if you have black water and sewage lake that could make the unit uninhabitable the entire unit certainly the area where the leak occurred is not habitable so one thing you may want to do is have your own inspector coming inspect and test verify what's there because the landlord may inspect the unit but they don't have to divulge you with they found and they may not be honest about it. If you live between Ellie and San Diego my company can assist in doing inspection for you and possibly you can get take this off of your rent depending on the situation. Send me an email [e-mail] for more

[@shawnhossini3321]

Hi, do you know of any good lawyers that specialize in tenant mold issues in Los Angeles?

[@eyesopen2217]

If a tenant thinks they may have health issues as a result of 11 months of black mold exposure in their rental unit, what are your thoughts regarding the best tests to detect high levels of mold in the body? Urine? Blood? Is there a superior test in the eyes of the California courts? I’m in San Diego County.

[@healthandsafety1341]

Though I am a microbial consultant my expertise does not cover medical testing. I do not personally know of the specific ones though I do have clients tell me they have tests like these done. Many times you need a mold specialist doctor to help you. I know of one in the Orange County area who may be able to refer you to one in your area.

[@eyesopen2217]

@@healthandsafety1341 Thank you for your response. 🙏 I will look into mold specialist doctors in San Diego. A friend of mine is a medical director in SD and may have some recs. If nothing promising surfaces, I’ll probably call or email you regarding the OC specialist. Not too far of a drive, as I’m close to the coast in the most northern part of SD County.

[@HealthyLife4Me]

@@healthandsafety1341what the doctors name in OC?

[@healthandsafety1341]

@@HealthyLife4Me Send me an email to [e-mail] and I will send it to you.

[@travisb2411]

Where can I send you my email for the pdf?

[@TediBare]

I need HELP!!!! I have the case of the century and I cannot get an attorney because I live on the edge of hell I have supporting evidence of the last seven years I witnesses testimonies and photos doctors test hospital stays. My pets health are now in major jeopardy I cannot afford to move. I'm being forced out of my house and I'm too sick to do anything, I have contacted just about everyone I can including greater Bakersfield and I'm still here screaming help please

[@marcelmchatchet5276]

Im sorry im a renter myself in central CA, and we withheld rent late due to the landlord not acknowledging we have mold and the inspector told us itwas mol which we idnt need to be told, it was black mold that literally seeped into our sons bed and we had to get rid of it, my daughter has asthma and its getting worse, she wrestles and she clearly has a hard time getting her breath and now my son is randomly getting sick all the time. T hey gave us a 3 day notice and refused to take our money literally a day after and he coached or told his receptionist to lie im assuming because we tried to show her all the mol she wouldnt look and said that we were mistaken thta its mildew lmao i as in construction for 9 years seen and had to replace dry wall with mold so much i know for a fact and anybody could tell you its black mold andd its all over every basebord in every room and in the bathroom. I dont know what to do myself but the landlords cant get away with this, the scum even took 2 weeks to fix our toilets and sewage cleanout was backed up completely for 3 days and it over flowed so much it went into or livingroom soaking into my fuckin couch and walls, they didnt come till 3 in the afternoon and it happened at 2 in the morning and i had to clean it up with my shop vac amd old towels. they didnt give us a motel until they fixed it and the only thing they did was give us like what amounted to 4 days off the rent. We had to pay out of pocket to replace our couch, kids bed, and drapes, sheets, and blankets oh plus towels .

[@healthandsafety1341]

HI, I 'm not sure if I had communicated with you on this. Send me an email to [e-mail] to schedule a mold conulstation to help you deal with this.

[@cheymc8544]

If i go through a realitymanger who hires the mold inspection?

[@healthandsafety1341]

You can do that if you want. Keep in mind that if anyone hires the inspector except you they don't have to tell you what they found in the inspection unless a subpoena is ordered by a court. If you feel there are issues and these are found by the inspector, paying initially out of your pocket, then you can deduct the cost of the inspection from your rent as at least one of my videos talks about.

[@NoteFromSELF]

Someone definitely needs to manage your reality.

[@envyperez6462]

While my landlord is fixng my home does she need to rent me a hotel i have a 11 month old baby girl. Please help i dont think its right

[@healthandsafety1341]

If the property is not habitable or the amount of work leaves you without a kitchen or bathroom, yes they have to put you up somewhere. However, not every landlord will do that. But normally you will need an expert report and inspection showing this sent to your landlord and there are ways to force that.

[@healthandsafety1341]

They also should be using a containment if mold/moisture issues are present to protect you.

[@healthandsafety1341]

Hi Envy, CA law says that if the property is not habitable or if repairs require you being temporarily moved out the landlord is required to provide accommodations for that time. However, many landlords do not do this. You generally need an expert report from a mold inspection then perhaps have an attorney or legal service send a letter to your landlord reminding them of this. Send me an email to [e-mail] for more help.

[@Seatonni]

Moved in with mold & electric wiring out of date and vent out of code

[@healthandsafety1341]

Hi Shavon, If you have a question or need information you can send me an email at [e-mail] and I should be able to point you in the right direction.

[@illuminoid33]

I would like more information, but the email says its not valid

[@healthandsafety1341]

Check to make sure the email is typed correctly. It is connected to my website. [e-mail] is the email.

[@healthandsafety1341]

Or you can go to www.ocmolddetection.com and fill the web email form there.

[@HectorWPadilla]

Hi , could I please have the link- thank you

[@healthandsafety1341]

Send an email to [e-mail] (the one in the description) and I will send it.

[@lcr2382]

Always out to get the landlord

[@healthandsafety1341]

I have seen good landlords, the bad and in between. Unfortunately, many tenants pay a steep price for the bad ones who don't maintain the property or don't full their obligations in the form of bad health and such. These videos are to assist tenants in knowing how to hopefully deal appropriately with their landlords in these situations.

[@user-lk1qx7gb5o]

Who owns the moldy property?

[@mymontages9749]

​@@healthandsafety1341thank you for saying this 🙏