The new owner noticed during the walkthrough that there was mold in my kitchen and my bathroom area

If the new owner discovered mold in your kitchen and bathroom, along with extensive water damage to the walls, whether they can make you move out depends on your situation and any legal agreement you have. If you sold the home and are still living there, the new owner generally must follow the applicable legal process and cannot simply force you out without considering your right to occupy the property. If you were renting, serious mold or water damage may require repairs or temporary relocation if the home is unsafe. The discovery of mold does not automatically mean you must move or that you are responsible for the damage. Your rights depend on whether you sold or rented the home, your occupancy agreement, and the severity of the damage.

Debra, in Los Angeles a new owner generally cannot make you move just because they found mold or water damage, and that damage is normally the landlord's problem to repair, not a reason to remove you. Here is why. When a rental property is sold, your lease and your tenancy continue with the new owner. In California, landlords must keep a home habitable, and serious mold and water damage can fall under that duty. In addition, most tenants who have lived there a while are protected by state just cause rules (AB 1482) and, in the City of Los Angeles, the local Just Cause and Rent Stabilization rules, which limit the reasons for an eviction. A condition the owner has to fix is not a tenant fault, and a landlord cannot retaliate against you for asking for repairs. What I would do: put your repair request in writing, with dates and photos of the mold and damage, and keep a copy. If the repairs are not made, contact the Los Angeles Housing Department and the city's building and safety inspectors, who can inspect and order repairs. If the owner tells you to leave, do not sign anything or move out on a verbal request. Get it in writing, because the notice has to follow specific rules and, in some cases, relocation payments may be owed. A local tenant rights group or a tenant attorney is the right next call, and many offer free help in Los Angeles. If a notice arrives, act quickly because the deadlines are short. I am a real estate professional, not an attorney, so please use a tenant rights organization for legal advice. I work in Los Angeles and the South Bay, and if you are thinking about your next housing steps, I am glad to point you in the right direction. Zoltan Peresztegi Zoltan

It depends on the situation and the extent of the mold and water damage. If the property is considered unsafe or uninhabitable, there may be circumstances where you could be required to temporarily relocate while repairs are being made. However, that doesn’t automatically mean the new owner can make you move out immediately. The answer also depends on whether you’re renting or if you recently sold the property, as well as any applicable local laws. I’d recommend documenting the damage and speaking with a local tenant-rights organization or attorney to understand your options before agreeing to move out.

Hey Debra! Mold and water damage don’t automatically mean you have to move out. Whether the new owner can require you to leave depends on your lease, local housing laws, and whether the property is considered unsafe to occupy. Document the damage, notify the landlord in writing, and request a professional inspection. If you’re being pressured to leave, consult a local tenant-rights attorney. Need guidance on your rights? I can help you before making any decisions! Diya Sarin | DRE 02095684 📞 818.799.7230 📧 [email protected] 🌐 diyasellsla.com IG: diyasellsla

A new owner can't make you move just because they found mold and water damage, Debra. When a rental changes hands, your lease or month-to-month tenancy normally carries over, and the new owner takes on the old landlord's duty to fix problems like these. California, and Los Angeles in particular, gives tenants real protection here, so ending a tenancy generally takes a legal reason and proper written notice. If the repairs turn out big enough that you'd need to leave for a while, ask for the plan in writing, including how long it would take and who covers your stay somewhere else. I wouldn't agree to anything over the phone. For now, take dated photos of the mold and the damaged walls, and keep paying rent on time. If anyone hands you a notice, call the Los Angeles Housing Department or a tenant attorney before you sign or pack a thing. Alla Novytska, Realtor®, JohnHart Real Estate, DRE #02254775

Hey Debra, Joe covered the California rules well, so here’s the practical side from property management. When a building changes hands, your lease and your security deposit should transfer to the new owner. Ask in writing for the new owner’s or manager’s name, where to send rent, and confirmation that they have your deposit on record. On the mold, a good owner wants it fixed fast too, because it only gets worse. Ask for the repair plan and dates in writing. If the work means you have to be out for a few days, get who pays and how long on paper before you leave. Keep paying rent on time so nothing muddies your position. If anything doesn’t add up, call the LA Housing Department.

If you are referring to the final walkthrough prior to closing you would most likely be responsible to remediate before closing. Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Real Estate Operations in ALL 50 States

Whether they can make you move depends on who owns the property now, whether you are still living there as a tenant, and what legal notice you have received. If the new owner noticed mold in the kitchen and bathroom, along with extensive water damage to the walls, that does not automatically mean you must move out immediately. However, if the damage creates unsafe or uninhabitable conditions, the owner may need to arrange repairs, and temporary relocation could be necessary depending on the severity and circumstances. The key distinction is whether the property has already been sold and you are still renting it, or whether you were the seller and the new owner discovered the damage after closing. If you're in California, the state also requires landlords to maintain habitable rental housing, and serious mold or water damage can trigger repair or code-enforcement requirements

Short answer: no. A new owner can't just make you move because they found mold and water damage on a walkthrough. The sale doesn't end your lease. The new owner steps into your existing tenancy. If they want you out, they generally need a lawful just cause under the California Tenant Protection Act (Civil Code 1946.2), and if you're in the City of LA, under the LA Just Cause rules too. If your building is older (built before Oct 1978), it may also fall under LA Rent Stabilization. Damage the landlord is supposed to fix isn't a just cause. No-fault exits, like a big remodel or the owner moving in, need strict notice, permits, and often relocation money. On the mold and water itself: California treats serious mold and dampness as a housing problem (Health and Safety Code 17920.3), and landlords have a general duty to keep the place repaired and livable (Civil Code 1941 / 1941.1). So the usual path is they fix it, not boot you for finding it. They also can't retaliate. Asking for repairs or complaining about conditions is protected (Civil Code 1942.5). What I'd do today: take dated photos and video. Send a short written note about the mold and water damage and ask when it'll be fixed. Keep paying rent unless a lawyer tells you otherwise. If repairs mean you have to move out for a bit, you may be entitled to temporary relocation under LA rules. If they push hard or serve you papers, talk to the LA Housing Department (LAHD) and a tenant attorney or legal aid before you pack anything. This is general info, not legal advice. Joe Rose District