The law can be complicated. That’s why I suggest tenants reconsider representing themselves in disagreements with the landlord. A recent case, Sayta v. Chu, was heard by the Court of Appeal here in San Francisco. It’s a notable case to post about in this blog because...
This case is about a tenant who fought a bad landlord and the hard-working attorney she hired. Based on the antics of the landlord, the court eventually awarded the tenant a considerable amount to money. The court even labelled the landlord as “vexatious.” In law, it...
If you’re a tenant involved in an eviction action, you’ll probably want a jury trial. As I wrote in an earlier post, “Your Right to a Jury Trial,” jury members may be tenants themselves and can be more attuned to the difficulties of being a tenant. But you...
As an attorney defending residential tenants, I find that each case has unique details. Knowing which details are important when arguing a case can be the difference between winning and losing. That’s why I keep track of court opinions, which I write about...
The landlord or his realtor presents you with a document asking you about the details of your lease. The document might be called “Rental Questionnaire” or a “Statement of Tenancy.” Be careful. It could be a tenant estoppel. Tenant estoppels legally certify facts...
You come home one evening and see a sign on your building. It’s for sale. Or you hear a rumor from another tenant. You google your building’s address, and up it comes on some real estate company’s website. As a tenant, are you in trouble? Take a deep breath. The first...
