The Santa Cruz County Environmental Health Division has substandard rental housing enforcement authority in the unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County. This includes the areas surrounding the City of Watsonville, Corralitos, Pajaro Dunes, Manresa, La Selva, Aptos, Soquel, Live Oak, Felton, Ben Lomond, Brookdale, Boulder Creek, Davenport, Bonny Doon and some areas of Los Gatos (Santa Cruz County side).Substandard housing conditions within a city limit must be referred to the city code enforcement agency.
A healthy home is a structure that is free from the following substandard housing conditions, as defined in the California Health & Safety Code (Section 17920.3):
- Moisture and mold that can cause or worsen illness or damage personal belongings;
- Pests that can cause illness or are a nuisance;
- Unsafe conditions and poorly maintained plumbing, heating and other systems that can lead to injuries and other problems;
- Surfacing sewage that allows exposure to pathogens;
- Lack of hot and cold running water that allows adequate cleaning;
- Unventilated areas that can increase indoor pollutant levels.
It is the owner or landlord's responsibility to fix substandard housing conditions. Renters whose homes are in disrepair should contact their landlords in writing. If your landlord fails to provide the repairs within a reasonable time frame, California law allows you to repair the damage yourself and deduct the costs from your rent.
Substandard housing rental housing regulations are enforced in legally built dwellings. Homes constructed or modified without the benefit of building permitting must be referred to the appropriate code enforcement agency.
File a complaint HERE