Q: Is it legal to house people near Santa Susana Lab without informing them of potential hazards?
I received Section 8 housing close to the Santa Susana Field Test Lab about a year ago and recently learned that this area might be toxic. The lease agreement didn't mention any environmental hazards, and I found out about these risks through documentaries and community reports. I'm concerned about the legality of housing individuals here without disclosure of potential risks. I would like to know if it's legal for people to live in this area without being informed and what options I have to move to a safer location, possibly with assistance.
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- California
- (916) 704-3009
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- Answered
A:
Under California law, landlords have to tell you about environmental risks they actually know about. If the property sits within a mile of a former weapons or rocket‑testing site such as Santa Susana, the owner must warn you before you sign. They also owe you a habitable unit, so if contamination makes the home unsafe, that can breach the warranty of habitability.
Because you hold a Housing Choice Voucher, the place also has to pass federal Housing Quality Standards that ban serious health or safety threats. You can request an emergency inspection from your local housing authority; if the unit fails, subsidy payments stop and you may transfer the voucher elsewhere. Hiding a known hazard can expose the owner to liability and gives you grounds to break the lease without penalty.
Write to the landlord and the housing authority right away, include any reports on Santa Susana contamination, and demand a prompt inspection or relocation. You can also file a complaint with Los Angeles County Public Health or the state’s toxic substances department to create an official record. If officials confirm the danger, use voucher portability to look in another city or county while keeping your rent assistance.
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