When sewage destroys your property
A sewage backup is one of the most destructive and hazardous events for a tenant's property, and if it resulted from the landlord's failure to maintain the plumbing or sewer lines, you may be able to recover for the contaminated items.
Sewage can ruin carpets, furniture, mattresses, clothing, and anything porous it touches, and contaminated items often cannot be safely salvaged. When the backup came from a plumbing or sewer problem the landlord was responsible for maintaining — especially one you had reported — the landlord's neglect can make them liable for the resulting property damage.
Sewage is also a serious health hazard, so protect yourself: avoid contact, ventilate, and be careful handling contaminated belongings. Document everything with photos before discarding items you must throw out for safety, and keep a detailed list of what was lost and its value.
Because sewage backups combine property loss, habitability violations, and health risks, they are especially serious. If a sewage backup from a problem your landlord should have prevented destroyed your belongings, a free, confidential review can help you understand your rights and options.
This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.