Tenants' Rights in California

by Talamo, John J.

• ISBN13: 9781572482418
• ISBN10: 1572482419
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-02-01
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc

Summary

Thousands of people rent in the state of California without knowing their basic rights-risking thousands of dollars in potential claims and lawsuits. Tenant's Rights in California explains in easy-to-understand language the laws and regulations that every tenant should know to protect themselves. Whether you are signing a lease, having conflicts with your landlord, or want to break the agreement but are afraid of the financial implications, this book explains what you need to know and how to protect your rights. Complete with checklists, step-by-step instructions, and the forms you need, this book provides practical advice for every landlord/tenant relationship. It explains and gives guidelines for: * California lease and rental agreements * Evictions * Security Deposits * Pets * Maintenance Work * Roommates and Subletting * California and Federal Discrimination Laws * California Landlords'Responsibilities * Insurance * Self-Storage Spaces * Tenants'Organizations

Table of Contents

Using Self-Help Law Books	vii
Introduction	xi
Finding a Place to Rent	1	(6)
Rent
Space
Time of Occupancy
Location
Preparation
Credit Reports
Leases and Rental Agreements	7	(2)
Discrimination	9	(6)
Civil Rights Act, Section 1982
Fair Housing Act
Farir Housing Act 1988 Amendment
California Laws
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Security Deposits	15	(6)
Amount
Pictures
Keeping the Deposit
When Property is Sold
Special Agreements	21	(4)
Insurance
Pets
Water Beds
Changing Terms	25	(8)
Assignment or Sublease by Tenant
Sale of Property by Landlord
Raising the Rent
Modifying the Lease
Day Care	33	(2)
Problems During the Tenancy	35	(8)
Landlord's Access to the Premises
Violations by the Tenant
Damage to the Property
Violations by the Landlord
Destruction of the Premises
Responsibility for Maintenance	43	(8)
Landlord's Duties
Waiver of Landlord's Duties
Tenant's Duties
Furnished Apartments
Tenant's Remedies
Telephones
Health Considerations and California Law	51	(2)
Mold
Proposition 65
Landlord's Liabilities	53	(8)
General Rules of Landlord Liability
Accidents
Pets
Crimes Against Tenants
Instances When a Landlord Can Be Liable
Problems at the End of the Tenancy	61	(4)
Holding Over
Damage to the Premises
Property Abandoned by the Tenant
Terminating a Tenancy	65	(10)
Tenancies with No Specific Term
Expiration of Rental or Lease Term
Early Termination by Tenant
Abandonment
Early Termination by Landlord
Failure to Pay Rent
Curable Breach
Incurable Breach
Special Rules for Public Housing
Death of a Tenant
Options to Cancel
Reasons for Eviction	75	(4)
Violating Terms of the Rental Agreement
Staying After your Lease Term Ends
Legal Violations
Dealing with Eviction	79	(14)
Lawyers
Before Eviction
Beginning the Eviction Process
Preparing for Trial
Trial
After the Trial: Special Considerations
Responsible Record-Keeping
Tenants' Organizations	93	(10)
Forming an Organization
The First Meeting
The Second Meeting
Roommates, Lodgers, and the Law	103	(6)
Lodgers
Roommates
Guests
Self Storage Facilities	109	(2)
Applicability
Rental Agreement
Termination for Unpaid Rent
Liens
Conclusion	111	(4)
Glossary	115	(8)
Appendix A: California Landlord/Tenant Statutes	123	(6)
Appendix B: Sample Filled-In Forms	129	(10)
Appendix C: Blank Forms	139	(78)
Index	217