Mend Your Diet

unsanitary tenants. should i call the department of health?

I have a duplex in Los Angeles California which is a rent control city and one of my tenants there are so unsanitary. there unit is full of junk, smell so so so bad and its really dirty it looks as if they have never cleaned the place since they moved in 5 years ago. they also have 2 dogs that live with them. i want to call the department of health on them but i am concerned that it might come back at me since i am the owner and this city being a rent control city i cant just simply ask them to leave. has anyone had this problem or heard of something like this and if so did the health department fine the tenant or the owner.

Public Comments

1. If you can't stand the heat, you had better get out of the kitchen - and fast! Apparently, you are a landlord and you need to take whatever steps in order to ensure the situation is rectified. You as the owner are responsible for the property, however if the tenants are as bad as you say, why have you allowed this to go on for five long years? Rhetorical.
2. Yes you can!! You need to act to save your property. I work in a Health Dept adjacent to LA County so I do understand your situation. You need to document your problem before you open a complaint with DEHS so you won't be the guilty one. I do remember the times when a tenant was the complainant and were surprised that I told them that I would issue a NOV against the owner of the apartment, but also against them (the tenants) because they were contributing to the problem. Go to the link here for LA County's Public Health Department to report a public health problem: http://lapublichealth.org/phcommon/complaints/phcomp.cfm
3. Why can't you just kick them out? I don't know what a rent control city is.. does that mean they can destroy your property?
4. If they have children, I would call the department of human services anonymously and let them know that you are concerned about the children living in that environment. Otherwise, I'd call someone like animal control (or a volunteer animal rescue group) and let them know that you are really concerned about the health of the animals after calling the department of health. I wouldn't give your name -- just let them know that you are very concerned about the innocents, and don't want bad relations with the family.
5. ask them to clear the place up give them a month. if they have not done this then tell them to clean the place up and tell them they have one month to do so. if they have still not cleaned up get a notice to clean up again give them a time limit. if they still have not cleaned up then you must take it further. however make sure that you document each time that you have spoken to them IE: what day what time who you spoke to even record the conversation with them then if it go's all wrong at least you have got the proof that you have repeatedly tried to get them to clean up there act.
6. Maybe you should have covered that in your lease agreement..
7. I would call the Health Dept. nearest you. They won't ask you for your name because it will probably show on their caller ID. I would go to a public phone and file a complaint. I had to deal with the same kind of people so I know exactly what you're talking about. You will not only be helping yourself but also the others that live closest to them.