Your Lease Should Be in Writing, Whether That’s Required by Law or Not Whether you’re the property owner or the tenant, your lease should be in writing whether the property is commercial or residential. In some circumstances, it must be in writing to be legally enforceable. Oral contracts or contracts...
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The legal landscape constantly changes, whether that’s through legislation, regulations, or court decisions. Here are five new California laws that may impact how you make decisions and possibly whether you make money or not. We can keep you updated on legal developments so you can make informed decisions that will...
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We all know they’re going to happen. Like the recent one in San Jose, mass shootings have become like bad highway accidents that kill several people. We read about it, maybe we imagine something like that happening to us, and we move on with our day. Not all workplace shootings...
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If you’re having severe problems with a neighbor, you’re not alone. A survey by FindLaw found that 42% of participants said they’d had a dispute with their neighbors. Ideally, with good communications, empathy, and respect, neighbor disputes should be resolved with no hard feelings. But that’s not always the case....
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Problems with a tenant can go beyond property damage, noise, and unpaid rent. A tenant could commit violence against a landlord, and many of them may rightfully fear an out-of-control tenant. A relationship that may have started well could potentially end tragically. What can a landlord do to protect themselves?...
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Commercial property owners are facing the toughest times since the recession of 2008. A lack of customers has hit restaurant and retail businesses. Office spaces emptied during the pandemic. Workers may not return at all or their work hours may be split between home and the office. The changes in...
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Slander of Title: When False Statements About Property Ownership Causes Harm If someone published a false and disparaging statement about your property and it harmed you, you may have a basis for a lawsuit against that party. Most slander cases concern words published about a person that put them in...
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Adverse Possession: Persistence May Pay Off Adverse possession is the legal term for “squatter’s rights.” It means getting a valid, legal title to real property that’s enforceable against others with more traditional, legal interests (like someone who owns it). Adverse possession cases were generally rare, but with the increase of...
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Good news for tenants and good and bad news for property owners. California has extended the state’s eviction moratorium through June 30, 2021 under legislation signed by the governor in January. The governor’s office claims California has the strongest renter protections in the nation. The legislation provides financial relief to...
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California has a higher homestead exemption, thanks to a bill signed last year by the Governor. It affords more financial protection for homeowners against unsecured creditors. Given the high cost of California homes and the continuing rise in real estate values, the increase is long overdue. What is a Homestead...
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