Mold and Water Damage Tips

Tips for Dealing with Mold and Water Damage in California

As a tenant in California, you have the right to live in a safe and habitable dwelling. Unfortunately, mold and water damage can make your living conditions uninhabitable and pose a serious risk to your health. In this post, we’ll share some tips on how to deal with habitability issues related to mold and water damage in California.

  1. Know Your Rights

The first step in dealing with habitability issues is to know your rights as a tenant. California law requires landlords to provide tenants with habitable housing, which means that the dwelling must be free from any conditions that may pose a threat to your health and safety. This includes mold and water damage.

If your landlord fails to provide you with habitable housing, you may be able to take legal action. Contact an experienced attorney who specializes in habitability and personal injury cases to discuss your options.

  1. Report the Issue

If you notice mold or water damage in your dwelling, you should report it to your landlord as soon as possible. California law requires landlords to respond to repair requests in a reasonable amount of time. Keep a record of all communication with your landlord, including dates, times, and what was discussed.

If your landlord fails to respond to your repair request, you may be able to take legal action to enforce your rights. Keep in mind that it’s important to document the issue and your attempts to get it resolved before taking any legal action.

  1. Contact your City Health Department or Housing Department

While waiting for your landlord to respond to your repair request, you can report the issues

  1. Protect Your Health

Mold and water damage can pose a serious risk to your health, especially if you have respiratory problems or allergies. To protect your health, you should:

  • Wear protective gear, such as gloves and a mask, when cleaning up mold or water damage
  • Avoid touching or inhaling mold spores
  • Seek medical attention if you experience symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, or skin irritation
  1. Document the Damage

If you decide to take legal action, it’s important to document the damage caused by mold and water damage. Take photos or videos of the affected area, and keep a record of any medical expenses you incurred due to health problems related to mold or water damage.

In conclusion, mold and water damage can make your living conditions uninhabitable and pose a serious risk to your health. If you’re dealing with habitability issues related to mold or water damage you may want to: know your rights, report the issue to your landlord, contact the city, protect your health, and document the damage. If your landlord fails to respond to your repair request, contact an experienced attorney who can help you enforce your rights.

The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The content of this blog post may be considered advertising under applicable laws and ethical rules. Viewing or using the information provided in this blog post does not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader and Mehdipour Law PC. Readers of this blog post should not act upon any information contained in this blog post without seeking professional counsel. Mehdipour Law PC expressly disclaims all liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all the contents of this blog post.

Landlord Duties and common violations

Landlord Duties and common violations

Landlord Duty to Repair and Maintain
California tenants have the right to a habitable house or apartment, and it is the landlord’s responsibility to ensure that the house or apartment is in fact habitable.

Landlords must abide by building codes and maintain house or apartment in a habitable and clean living condition. If the landlord is violating this duty, there are a number of ways a tenant may be able to respond, which may include: filing a lawsuit, moving out, withholding rent, and being compensated for relocation. A mold injury attorney may be able to better assist you and guide you through the process.

Common Violations
Anything that presents a health or safety risk to the tenants of the house or apartment may be a violation of a tenant’s rights.

If any of the following apply to you and your living situation, strongly consider consulting with an experienced mold attorney as you may be entitled to compensation.

Common habitability issues include:

1) Mold contamination and water damage;
2) Landlord’s failure to timely respond to tenant’s notices;
3) Roaches, bedbugs and rodents due to the landlord’s negligence:
4) Non-functional plumbing, heating, electrical, or other utilities;
5) Asbestos contamination; and
6) Conditions which make your home unsafe and uninhabitable.


These issues may put your health and safety at risk. Please reach out to us today for a free consultation.