West Oakland Tenants File Complaints against Landlord for Mold, Insect Infestations and More

Earlier this year, the East Bay Express published a report about tenants from an apartment building in West Oakland filing multiple complaints against their landlord with the Oakland Rent Adjustment Board. The residents have listed numerous problems, including mold, bed bugs and cockroaches.  If the tenants’ complaints are found to be valid, the article states that the city’s rent adjustment program could reduce their rent until the situation is corrected and even order that tenants be reimbursed for a portion of past rent already paid.

Living in conditions with bed bugs, cockroaches and visible mold growth is not only unpleasant and unsightly, but it can also cause health concerns for residents of the complex.  For example, bed bugs can be an annoyance because their presence may cause itching and loss of sleep. Some people may also suffer an allergic reaction.  Sometimes the itching can lead to excessive scratching that can increase the chance of a secondary skin infection.  Mold can cause respiratory issues, allergies, infections, trigger asthma in some people and expose people to mycotoxins.  For some people who suffer from asthma, exposure to cockroaches and their droppings can trigger an asthma attack.

“Most people spend the majority of their time indoors,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Garden Grove facility, a leading indoor environmental testing laboratory. “Much of this time is spent in people’s homes so it is important that the air they breathe and that the environment they are exposed to is not a threat to their health.   LA Testing offers a wide array of analytical testing services to support homeowners and renters wishing to sample for mold, bed bugs or allergens due to cockroaches and other sources.  In addition, we offer testing services for asbestos, lead-based paints and many other common indoor environmental concerns. Sampling supplies and test kits are available.”

LA Testing recently sponsored an online video about common indoor air quality pollutants that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/MM14B6dzYYg. To learn more about testing for any of these contaminants or other IAQ and environmental issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.

About LA Testing
LA Testing is a leading provider of asbestos, mold, environmental and indoor air quality (IAQ) testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The companies have an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.  LA Testing has multiple laboratories throughout California.

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