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…
Several tenant protections were created due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, notably the inability of landlords to evict tenants in several situations. An initiative by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to help “Mom and Pop” landlords with $45 million in grants sounded good when it…
Landlords, except those considered “Mom and Pop” landlords, will have tenant security deposits capped at one month’s rent, down from the current law’s limit of two months for unfinished units, three months if they’re furnished, starting in July. These amounts don’t include the first month’s rent. The new law makes…
Given how critical housing issues have become, it should be no surprise that Governor Newsom signed more than 60 housing-related bills in 2023. Many of them build on prior legislation, expanding their effect and reach. Others took local programs and will bring them statewide. Increased Tenant Protections Here are some…
