Mold in Rental House; Landlord does not want to address

[Dan B.]

I'm currently renting in the San Diego area; renting a house close to the beach. A few days ago, I noticed mold growing on one of the bedroom walls and around the windows. I told my landlord. His response was, "Yep. Its wet and always does that if not regularly cleaned with bleech." Also, "I hoped you would keep up with that kind of regular maintenance and cleaning." 

First, doesn't California state law require a notification of existing mold in rental properties? This is the first time I have been told this is a recurring issue. What sort of legal options do I have? Expecting the tenants to clean up mold with bleach is not, in my opinion, a viable way forward to address the issue. My preference would be to fix the issue causing mold to grow. I think if it's on the interior walls, there's likely a bigger problem inside the walls.

Second, does this allow me to break the lease without owing money, and/or am I able to withhold rent till the issue is addressed?

[Joe Splitrock]

Originally posted by @Dan B.:

I'm currently renting in the San Diego area; renting a house close to the beach. A few days ago, I noticed mold growing on one of the bedroom walls and around the windows. I told my landlord. His response was, "Yep. Its wet and always does that if not regularly cleaned with bleech." Also, "I hoped you would keep up with that kind of regular maintenance and cleaning." 

First, doesn't California state law require a notification of existing mold in rental properties? This is the first time I have been told this is a recurring issue. What sort of legal options do I have? Expecting the tenants to clean up mold with bleach is not, in my opinion, a viable way forward to address the issue. My preference would be to fix the issue causing mold to grow. I think if it's on the interior walls, there's likely a bigger problem inside the walls.

Second, does this allow me to break the lease without owing money, and/or am I able to withhold rent till the issue is addressed?

 It is very unlikely that mold on the wall is coming through the wall. Most likely it is surface mold. It could come from having windows open. It could come from running a humidifier in the property. It could come from not running the fan long enough in the bathroom after a shower. It can even come from people in the room breathing. 

YOU as the resident have much more control over mold than the landlord. The landlord did a poor job of explaining this to you. Cleaning mold at first sight is the most important thing. There are sprays that not only remove mold, but leave a prevention chemical on the surface. Still you need to consider ways to control moisture in the property. Keep windows closed or run a dehumidifier in the room after having windows open. 

My lease details a tenants responsibly in controlling mold in the lease. Mold is very common and just because you find some surface mold, it doesn't mean you have some serious problem. It does mean you need to take better steps to control moisture in the property. With people spending more hours in their homes due to COVID, there is even more moisture than normal.