Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Re: Possible mold problem in apartment

Report the problem to your local health department and building inspection department. If there is a mold problem, they will notify landlord, and you have several options after that.

You can also get inexpensively priced mold test kits at drug and discount stores.

The management company will have to replace the carpet (if there is mold), but frequently a lot more will have to be replaced.

There are a number of options available if there is mold, including breaking the lease, repair and deduct, withholding rent, rent abatement, etc. These are too numerous to enumerate in detail at this point.

First, get the inspection(s) completed.

If you need more information now, or later, please feel free to e-mail, or call, my office.

Be prompt. Mold is seriously bad for your health, and is usually found in moist areas, frequently near the ocean. The closer you are to the coast, the more likely you are to have a mold infestation.

Good luck!