California law seems to prohibit rental agreements from compelling mandatory arbitration of disputes. However, there is a conflict between two laws that the courts have not yet resolved. California Civil Code section 1953 states “any provisions of a lease or … Read More »

California law allows a residential tenant to make repairs and then deduct the cost from her monthly rent. This is commonly known as repair and deduct. However, certain procedures must be followed before this action can be taken. For example, … Read More »

In San Francisco, a person who originally signs a lease with the landlord is usually called the original occupant or master tenant. Sometimes, the master tenant has subtenants, who might be accepted as authorized tenants by the landlord. According to … Read More »

There was a recent court decision concerning Section 8 housing. A tenant rented a house and received federal Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments. The rental was also located in Los Angeles which has a local rent ordinance. The tenant began … Read More »

In California, every rental agreement contains the implied covenant of quiet enjoyment. ‘Implied’ means even if the covenant is not explicitedly stated in the lease it still exists. This covenant means that landlord cannot do two things. The landlord cannot … Read More »

As a renter, you probably believe you do not need renters insurance. After all, your landlord has building insurance. You are wrong. A landlord’s property insurance does not usually cover tenant’s personal property. If there is a fire, theft or … Read More »

Your landlord rents your next door apartment to strangers for short-term rentals. You notice that about every 10 days, a stranger appears at the door of the apartment and picks up the morning paper. You suspect this type of short … Read More »

Death by a thousand cuts describes a form of torture. Two or two cuts would not hurt. However, after many or a thousand cuts, the injuries can cause death. The court of appeals recently denied decrease in services petitions for … Read More »

The San Francisco Rent Ordinance provides for relocation payments in the event of an owner move-in or if the landlord wants to do capital improvements in your home. Unfortunately, the Rent Ordinance does not entitle tenants to relocation payments in … Read More »

Effective February 1, 2012, rules issued by the San Francisco Rent Board will change to better protect tenants against landlords unilaterally changing the terms of the lease. Currently, a landlord may change the terms of a tenant’s lease by merely … Read More »