Tenant Law Articles
When can a tenant repair and deduct? Under California law, a tenant is allowed to repair and deduct. Civil Code § 1942. However, this remedy should only be used where the tenant meets all the requirements of the repair and deduct statute. If a tenant repairs and deducts without following the strict guidelines of California’s […] Read More
Mold is Serious Mold is a microscopic fungus that grows in almost every damp setting. Improperly maintained dwellings can have toxic mold levels. Mold infestations will flourish in areas with excess moisture, such as leaks, showers with no ventilating fans, wet basements, and air ducts. Because it only takes a day or two for colonies […] Read More
Many landlords and tenants struggle with how to define “ordinary or normal wear and tear” with respect to security deposits. Most disputes over security deposits come down to what constitutes normal wear and tear. When a tenant moves out of a unit, the landlord may deduct from a tenant’s security deposit to repair damage to […] Read More
2017 ushered in a host of state and local laws that affect your legals rights as a tenant: New State Tenant Laws The California legislature enacted several laws protecting tenants, including creating new laws related to bed bugs, regulating condominium pesticide treatment notices and procedures, and augmenting rules pertaining to public accessibility of court records in […] Read More
California Mobilehome Homeowners Repair Rights Owners of mobile homes live in a unique situation. First, they own their home while renting someone else’s land. Second, they often make a greater financial investment in their home and lot than the park owner makes in the park. Still, park owners greatly influence mobilehome owners’ living conditions. This […] Read More
How to Get Your Landlord to Make Repairs If a landlord is not responding to multiple written repair requests, the tenant must force the landlord to make repairs. Do not be fearful. The law actually protects a tenant that asserts rights against a landlord. In fact, Cal. Civil Code § 1942.5 creates extra protection for […] Read More
Statute on Refunds Security deposit issues are governed by state law. Under Civil Code section 1950.5, a landlord may collect up to two month’s rent for deposits on unfurnished apartments and three months for furnished apartments. There is no such thing as a non-refundable security deposit. Any money paid over the amount of the first […] Read More
Landlord Negligence and Right to Return – Fire, Flood or Disaster If a landlord’s wrongful or negligent act causes a fire, a tenant may recover medical bills, moving costs, rent for a replacement apartment, and loss of property. See Civil Code § 1714. A tenant has two years to file a claim for damage or […] Read More