ifindedout
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Per her Instagram post referenced in the above article:
Does she mean that the mold inspector she hired labeled the house as a health hazard and not livable, but they chose to stay anyway or that the rental was labeled that way prior to their moving in, but they chose to still rent? Is either even legal?
From the California Department of Public Health:
Mold
Probably more relevant, this from NOLO:
California Laws on Mold in Rental Properties | Nolo
Landlord Liability for Mold in California
There is currently no federal law covering a landlord's responsibilities when it comes to mold. Also, aside from disclosure requirements (as discussed below), California doesn't have any laws that specifically address a landlord's duties or liability when it comes to mold prevention and remediation. [source goes on to mention that municipalities may have their own laws on mold or other environmental contamination]Mold Disclosure Requirements in California
California law requires landlords to provide tenants with a written disclosure, prior to signing a rental agreement, when they know, or have reason to know, that mold exceeds permissible exposure limits or poses a health threat. (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 26147 (2022).) Although the law allows for the adoption of permissible exposure limits, the state health department has determined that it's not feasible to do so. In fact, in a Statement on Building Dampness, Mold, and Health (issued September 2011), the department takes the position that the mere "presence of water damage, dampness, visible mold, or mold odor" in a building poses a health threat. Rather than try to measure mold levels or determine specific types of mold, the department strongly recommends taking prompt, diligent steps to remediate mold and address any underlying moisture issues that might be present in a building.I get the impression that Tori and Dean may indeed have been advised that it was hazardous to rent there, or that it was already so labeled, but chose to do so anyway because they have had difficulty finding a place that will rent to them due to outstanding debts, other negative publicity they've received, and a large family size. Good thing they had renters' insurance, but I really worry about this family, that others will continue to try to take advantage of their issues, or have nothing to do with them altogether.
IANAL MOO