This document is intended to provide general information and not legal advice. We strongly urge you to consult with an attorney. Click here for Eviction Defense Resources, Free Legal Advice, and qualified private attorneys.
Learn about credit check fees, application screening fees, and holding deposits. Beware of
prepaid rental listing services. Get educated before you start your housing search. http://www.dca.ca.gov/legal/landlordbook/index.shtml
Before you move in or out of your apartment. Carefully document any defects in the apartment with pictures and video before you sign a rental agreement. Place the newspaper of the day in each picture and keep the page.
Make sure that the rental agreement does not say that the apartment is in perfect condition if it is not. If there is a section in the lease that talks about the condition of the unit, list the problems there and any agreement regarding repairs.
Read and fully understand all of the terms of your agreement. If you have questions or concerns, ask to take it with you to review and bring it to one of these four legal clinics or invest the time and energy to have a private attorney review it before you sign.
Follow the rules. Understand your lease or rental agreement. Be a good neighbor.
Pay your rent on time. Never pay with cash unless you get a clearly written receipt at the time
of payment. Even then it is best to buy a money order. While it is perfectly acceptable to pay with a check, if the landlord claims that the check was lost in the mail it will be your word against the landlord’s and a check registry is very weak proof of having sent it or paid it.
Report problems by knocking on the manager’s door and nicely handing a nice note. Keep a
copy of your written request for repairs.
Understand the “repair and deduct remedy” http://www.dca.ca.gov/legal/landlordbook/index.shtml
AND never actually use it unless you have a qualified expert ready to represent you in the
eviction trial that is likely to result.
Good tenants who have lived in rent controlled units for many years pay lower rent. The landlord has a motivation to evict. They are often falsely accused of breaking the rules. Exercise caution and get free legal assistance the moment problems arise.
If you get a 3 day notice to do anything get legal advice in enough time to comply with the notice. If the person you are speaking with tells you not to comply, get a second opinion. Eviction Defense Resources, Free Legal Advice, and qualified private attorneys.
If you have reason to believe the landlord may try to evict you (low rent, low rent combined with new owner, you just called the health department or complained about conditions for example),
start paying your rent with a money order that has a pre-printed date and send it priority mail. DO NOT send certified mail.Priority mail has the same tracking mechanism as certified mail but is less expensive and does not require a signature. At least one judge in Los Angeles thinks that if the tenant makes the landlord go to the post office to pick up a certified mail envelope and the rent is late, the tenant can be evicted. Exercise caution and get free legal assistance the moment problems arise.
When you a ready to move, give a 30 day written notice when you are ready to move out. Be
sure you really are ready to move out. Once given, the landlord does not have to let you
withdraw it. http://www.dca.ca.gov/legal/landlordbook/index.shtml
You have to pay your last months rent unless you specifically have clear proof that the security deposit is intended as a last months rent. http://www.dca.ca.gov/legal/landlordbook/index.shtml
Before refusing to pay your last months rent, get free legal assistance.
1.Eviction Defense
2.Affirmative Habitability cases
3.Representing groups of tenants facing eviction due to condominium conversion or abuse of the Ellis Act.
4.Does a Landlord owe you
Representing of Nonprofit Organizations
1.Bylaws preparation
2.Incorporation
3.Federal and State Tax Exemption Filing
4.Meeting and Retreat facilitation
5.Strategic Planning
6.Capacity Building
