A Las Vegas family says their apartment at Wood Ridge Villas has turned into a health hazard, with toxic black mold spreading across walls, shutting down an entire bathroom and worsening their child's asthma. The father was injured when a mold-soaked piece of ceiling crashed down while he was in the shower, and the family says that since the complex changed hands, fixes have been piecemeal, cosmetic and ultimately useless. Now, with the problems still festering, they are also staring down an eviction notice even as advocates push for full-scale mold remediation.
Tenants say inspection found major mold and sloppy repair work
The family paid out of pocket for a private mold inspection, which they say confirmed what they were already breathing in every day. The report documented significant amounts of black mold, widespread water damage and extensive fungal growth. The inspector recommended that a certified remediation company handle the cleanup, not quick drywall jobs that cover up the damage.
According to the tenants, bathroom fans and fixtures were failing, and a handyman crew simply swapped in new drywall without removing contaminated material underneath, which allowed the mold to return. Those findings and the family's account were detailed in reporting by KTNV.
Owner says it is making repairs as its corporate footprint draws heat
Westland Real Estate Group, which owns Wood Ridge Villas, lists dozens of multi-family communities across Los Angeles and Las Vegas and says it focuses on rehabilitating underperforming properties. The company told local reporters it began repairs after acquiring struggling sites.
Tenants at several Westland-owned complexes, however, have reported leaks, pests and broader habitability problems. The company has also faced prior litigation over conditions at one of its Las Vegas properties, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Legal aid steps in as eviction clock ticks
The Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada is now representing the Fernandez/Higuera family as they fight an eviction case filed on Nov. 7 for unpaid rent. An attorney for the group described the apartment conditions as "horrific" and said the state of the unit is central to the family's defense.
Advocates argue that covering mold with new drywall, without certified remediation, does not meet basic habitability standards and can increase health risks for children and people with asthma. Details of the eviction notice and advocates' concerns were reported by KTNV.
Where tenants can turn for help
The City of Las Vegas outlines rental assistance programs, mediation procedures and a CHAP portal that can connect eligible renters with nonprofits that help with paperwork and mediation.
Tenants who need legal representation or guidance on habitability complaints and eviction defense can contact the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and related tenant-assistance organizations for intake and advice. The city recommends that renters facing eviction while repairs are pending start by applying for rental assistance and carefully documenting every communication with their landlord.
The Higuera family's case highlights how low-income tenants can get squeezed when corporate landlords acquire aging apartment complexes. Residents often shoulder the health risks and potential relocation costs while repairs are argued over. As advocates weigh possible legal action, the family and others in similar units are pressing for certified mold remediation, relocation options that can accommodate their pets and stronger enforcement of basic habitability standards.
