Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Re: Mold in apartment

This is a very controversial subject. The scientific evidence of harm from mold is very thin. Some molds may be toxic; others are not. Some people think mold affects their health; others do not.

In a few cases, juries have awarded large sums as damages for harm believed caused by mold. This does not mean that any harm was actually caused, but only that a jury was convinced that more probably than not someone was harmed.

No one knows what the proper steps for a landlord to take in case of mold are. Different people are promoting "solutions" or "analysis" but the science just isn't there.

The use of bleach and water will get rid of the visible mold. If you do this, be sure to ventilate thoroughly. Bleach contains chlorine which is poisonous if inhaled. There are other cleaning products available at the supermarket that will remove most mold. Follow the instructions carefully.

Mold is caused by moisture. Removing visible mold will not do much if the source of moisture remains. A smart landlord will repair any leaks or other sources of moisture to minimize possible liability. Installing exhaust fans in bathrooms is a good idea.

Speak to your landlord about where the moisture is coming from and request steps to fix this. As for removing the mold, this is a personal decision. If you are in bad health, pregnant or otherwise at risk I suggest you do not do this yourself.