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 lease the...
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 broken water pipe your...
Death by a thousand cuts describes a form of torture. One 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 two Santa Monica tenants. This decision...
You believe your home has serious violations of the housing code. But you are not certain. How can you tell? “Substantial” compliance is the standard. Landlords are not required to have their properties in a “perfect, aesthetically pleasing” condition. In most...
The burst of the housing bubble is hurting tenants as more people decide not to buy homes. In 2004, before the Great Recession, the percentage of Americans who were homeowners was 69 percent. Now according to the New York Times, the percentage of homeowners has...
