State and federal laws cover housing discrimination and those with disabilities. Depending on the nature of the disability and the requested accommodation, you may be legally required to provide it. Your obligation to accommodate the tenant has limits, so you may not need to do what they ask, but you…
Landlords want to avoid many issues, like bad plumbing, a leaky roof, or a tenant whose Harley-Davidson needs a muffler. Add to the list a tenant who hoards possessions (maybe even pets) to the point the unit is unsafe, unsanitary, and creates problems for other tenants. You can be proactive…
Disputes are bound to come up in any business relationship. Each tenant and landlord has their own approach to resolving differences, and how well they work varies depending on the issue and the person involved. If severe enough, a dispute may result in some legal action, but that’s an expensive…
Starting this year, state law bans local governments from forcing California landlords to act against tenants who were or may be involved in the criminal justice system. The law, passed last year, was supported by civil rights and landlord organizations. “Crime-free” or “Non-White” Free Housing Policies? Assembly Bill 1418, signed…
Heavy rain, landslides, and flooding! Oh my! That was Orange County’s story in early February as biblical amounts of rain fell from the sky. Los Angeles averages about 14 inches of rain annually, and half that amount fell in two days. That water had to go somewhere, and a lot…
Many living in California don’t understand or communicate well in English. Unless you speak the same language they do, these residents will require more effort with communication, but they’re a substantial number of potential tenants you may not want to ignore. Renting to Non-English Speakers May be Good Business. Discriminating…
Landlords have many reasons to want a tenant to leave, but they may not be grounds for eviction. Smart landlords avoid breaking the law by harassing tenants, changing locks, or stopping maintenance or repairs. If you have enough resources or are willing to forgo unpaid rent, you can negotiate a…
You rent space in a building. It’s very valuable. Who’s in that space and what they do there may mean the difference between a positive relationship and cash flow or a difficult relationship and losing money. You need to protect that space and your ability to make a living. If…
What do you do when your tenant breaks the rules? That depends on how often they’re broken and the rules’ importance. A chronic problem is much more severe than a one-time or sporadic lease breach. It’s up to you to balance your tolerance and the hassle of enforcing the lease….
It’s illegal for a landlord to harass a tenant to try to force them out of their unit or in retaliation for doing something like deducting the cost of repairs to their home. It’s also illegal for a tenant to harass you, just like every one of us should be…
