Renting isn’t great at the best of times, but renting in San Francisco definitely adds an extra layer of difficulty to the whole thing. A Redditor recently learned this firsthand after discovering fungi growing in their apartment, only to be dismissed by both their landlord and the authorities.


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Posting in r/SanFrancisco, the tenant wrote, “Renting an apartment and have had constant flooding during the storms. This was a problem last year too. Now it’s much worse. Fungi is growing in and around my apartment. The floor has had black spots creep through the fake wood flooring.”


They continued, “I have called 311 and filed a complaint, and they told me an inspector would reach out in two days’ time. They didn’t. So after a week, I called the health inspectors office only to be rudely told that they don’t give out timelines for when they can come back and inspect/test the place.”


They asked the subreddit for guidance, adding, “Any others had this problem, and the landlord would just shrug it off? What are my options as far as remediation or rehousing? Do I withhold rent until this is resolved? I’m [in] serious need of advice as I have asthma and eczema, and I can’t keep either in control now and I think it’s due to this issue.”


Commenters were full of helpful advice, with one reminding OP to get everything in writing in case the issue goes to trial, including having written proof that they’ve spoken to their landlord about this issue only for the landlord to dismiss them.


Others suggested calling the Department of Building Inspection (DBI), with one person assuring OP that DBI is responsive and are empowered to compel the landlord to remove the fungi.


Hopefully, the issue is resolved ASAP. As one commenter put it, the photos definitely have “Last of Us vibes.” To that, OP wisely responded, “I don’t need to turn into a Clicker thanks to property mismanagement.”