Capture it before you go
Thorough documentation before you leave is what protects your right to have left and any claims you plan to pursue afterward, so take time to capture everything.
Photograph and video the problems in detail — the leak, mold, pest evidence, broken systems, or damage — with dates where possible, and capture the overall condition of the unit as you leave it. Gather your written repair requests and the landlord's responses, which show the landlord knew and failed to act. If a code or health inspector documented violations, keep those reports and reference numbers.
Also record the timeline: when the problem started, when you reported it, what the landlord did or did not do, and when you moved. Keep proof of any related expenses, like temporary housing or damaged property.
This record supports several possible claims — constructive eviction, a rent refund for the substandard period, deposit return, and property damage — even after you are gone.
Because this evidence is hard to recreate once you leave, capture it before you go. If you are preparing to move out over conditions, a free, confidential review can help you understand what documentation will best protect your rights.
This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.