Tenants Refuse to Pay Rent after Unresolved Mold Complaints at San Diego Apartment Complex

Recently, San Diego’s NBC 7 broadcasted a story of unhappy tenants at a nearby apartment complex. According to their report and interviews with tenants, multiple families are refusing to pay their rent because they feel the complex’s new management group is not fixing ongoing mold problems.

Tenants interviewed discussed having walls painted, bathrooms replaced and new floors and cabinets installed. As nice as these new and refreshed surfaces and fixtures are, some tenants stated that moisture entering the apartment complex from exterior sources is still an issue. Due to this situation, mold lurks below the improvements until it returns again to the surface after a short period of time, making it visible once again.

Mold problems in apartments and condos can easily take place if water damage or elevated levels of humidity are not addressed in a timely manner. Mold will begin to grow in under 48 hours on most building materials, furnishing and personal belongings when enough moisture is present. The mold growth can not only damage materials, but can also quickly lead to indoor air quality (IAQ) concerns and potential health issues if building occupants are exposed to elevated levels of mold.

“In California, tenants now have recourse when living in mold infested apartments due to a relatively new state law that regulates housing conditions,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “The regulation provides tenants with the ability to report mold problems as substandard housing.”

Renters are advised to look for moisture damage and mold before signing a lease. Inexpensive and fast indoor environmental quality tests are also available from LA Testing. The laboratory experts offer comprehensive analytical services, all of the sampling supplies necessary and easy-to-use test kits to help identify mold and other common indoor environmental quality issues.

LA Testing has also sponsored a video about apartments, mold and indoor air quality that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/J_otaemw2nA.

To learn more about mold and IAQ testing or other environmental, occupational, health and safety issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794. For access to indoor environmental quality test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC Elite, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

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