Who this is for
Renters dealing with a leak, damp walls, condensation that keeps coming back, a musty smell or visible mold, and family members or advocates helping them keep track. It is written with California rules in mind, but the record works anywhere.
How to use it
- Fill in the "Your home and contacts" box once.
- Give each problem spot a number (Area 1, Area 2) and describe it in the "Problem areas" table.
- Photograph each area before anyone cleans or repairs it, then again every week or two from the same spot. Write each photo in the photo log.
- Write down every request you make and every reply, including phone calls. If you report by text, email or an online portal, follow up with a letter and log that too.
- Record each repair visit and any inspection. Ask for copies of inspection reports.
- Keep this page, copies of your letters, receipts and your photos together, and back up the photos somewhere other than your phone.
This log is for your own records. Keep it private, and do not post it online.
Your home and contacts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address and unit number | |
| Date I moved in | |
| Move-in checklist or photos (where kept) | |
| Landlord or manager name | |
| How the landlord takes repair requests (mailing address, portal, phone) | |
| After-hours or emergency maintenance number | |
| Local code enforcement or environmental health office and phone | |
| Legal aid or tenant help phone |
Problem areas
| Area | Room and exact spot | What I see (stain, spots, peeling, wet, condensation) | Rough size | Wet to the touch? | Smell? | First noticed (date) | Likely water source, if known |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||||
| 2 | |||||||
| 3 | |||||||
| 4 |
Photo and video log
Take one wide shot that shows the room and wall, then close-ups with a ruler, coin or tape measure in the frame for scale.
| Date | Time | Area | Photo or video number or file name | Wide or close-up | Scale object in frame? | Change since last photo (bigger, same, smaller, cleaned, repaired) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Requests and replies
| Date | How sent (letter, certified mail, hand delivered, text, email, portal, phone, in person) | Sent to | What I reported and asked for | Proof kept (receipt number, signed copy, screenshot) | Reply received (date and what was said) | Promised repair date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Access and repair visits
| Date | Entry notice received (date and how) | Who came | What they did | Was the water source fixed? | Photos taken after? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Inspection
| Agency | Date I asked for an inspection | Date of inspection | Inspector name | Report or notice to owner received? (date) | Follow-up or re-inspection date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Damaged belongings and costs
| Date | Item | Damage | Photo taken before discarding? | Cost or receipt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Health notes (optional, keep separate if you prefer)
You do not have to share medical details with your landlord. A short private note can help when you talk with a clinician.
| Date | Who | Symptoms | Better or worse away from home? | Clinic visit or advice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Reminders
- Photograph before cleaning, painting or repairs.
- Ask for repairs in writing and keep a copy. Certified mail with a return receipt is recommended in California's official tenant guide, though not required.
- In California, written notice at least 24 hours before a landlord enters for repairs is presumed reasonable.
- In California, protection from retaliation lasts 180 days after a good-faith complaint about conditions, if your rent is paid up. Note the dates of your complaints.
- Do not pay less than full rent without talking to legal aid or a tenant lawyer first.
- You usually do not need a mold test. Focus on getting the water source fixed.
Get help now
Call 911 for severe shortness of breath at rest, extreme difficulty breathing, bluish lips or face, or drowsiness or confusion. For an active leak, call or text the landlord or manager right away, then follow up in writing.
For the full steps, see A renter's checklist for documenting dampness or mold.
Limitations
- This log is a place to record facts. It does not decide whether a home meets legal standards; a local health or code enforcement officer, or a court, makes that call.
- It is general information, not legal advice. Deadlines and remedies depend on your situation and your rental agreement, and local rules can add to state law. Ask legal aid or a tenant lawyer about your options.
- It does not diagnose illness. Talk to a clinician about symptoms.
Sources
- California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities, 2026 Edition — California Department of Real Estate, RE 26 (Rev. 1/1/26).
- Civil Code § 1942.5 — California Legislature (reproduced by California.Public.Law), accessed October 21, 2026.
- Civil Code § 1954 — California Legislature (reproduced by California.Public.Law), accessed October 21, 2026.
- About Mold — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 26, 2024.
- A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, last updated February 18, 2026.
- Asthma in adults — MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, reviewed January 1, 2025.
Printed from kpsgill.com. Check the page online for the latest version.
More in Home, Housing & Everyday Living → · All twelve areas