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In Los Angeles, landlords have a legal responsibility to keep rental properties in reasonably safe conditions for occupants. As a tenant, you have the right to proper living standards. You also have certain rights when looking for a rental unit, signing a lease or rental agreement, dealing with issues, and moving out. Unfortunately, landlords, property managers, and rental companies do not always honor those rights.
If you need help with a landlord-tenant dispute or any related matter, contact KJT Law Group. Our Los Angeles landlord-tenant attorneys know the law and how to protect your rights. Whether your landlord has failed to maintain adequate living conditions or is trying to evict you unlawfully, our experienced and aggressive legal team can help.
Understanding Your Rights
When it comes to renting, both landlords and tenants have certain obligations. As a renter, it is important that you know your rights—and when they have been violated. You could have grounds for legal action if a landlord or another party acts negligently or wrongfully.
First and foremost, you have the right to expect reasonable living standards. These include:
- Running water
- Adequate sources of heat
- Sanitary bathrooms
You also have the right to expect the property to be free of rodent or insect infestation, as well as mold and asbestos.
For a property to be deemed “fit for human occupancy,” it must meet the following standards:
- The property, including the roof and exterior walls, must be waterproof
- The building must be compliant with all applicable building codes
- All plumbing and gas-powered facilities must be compliant with the law
- Electrical and heating systems must be well-maintained and in working order
- There must be available and adequate garbage receptacles
- Stairs, floors, and railings must be safe, code-compliant, and well-maintained
- Entry doors must be sound and have working deadbolt locks
- The building and surrounding areas must be free of debris and vermin
Landlords are responsible for ensuring rental properties meet these standards. They are responsible for routine maintenance and necessary repairs. Tenants, meanwhile, are required to use the property and amenities properly and refrain from causing excessive damage that falls outside the scope of “normal wear and tear.”
California renters have many other rights when it comes to renting, living in, and leaving rental properties. Some of the most important include:
- The right to not be discriminated against based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, or any other protected class when applying for or leasing a rental unit
- The right to live in a rental unit for the duration of a rental agreement or lease for as long as the conditions of the agreement are met by both parties
- The right to receive disclosures from a landlord, including information on toxic mold that the landlord knows about which may pose a risk to the tenant’s health and whether the unit’s gas or electricity also serve other areas
- The right to be charged no more than two month’s rent as a security deposit and the right to receive a returned security deposit no more than 21 days after vacating a premises, along with an itemized list detailing any portion of the security deposit used or not returned
- The right to receive a three-day notice to pay rent or quit (which does not include weekend days or judicial holidays) prior to being evicted or having an eviction suit filed against them
- The right to withhold rent in certain circumstances, including when landlords do not make repairs to maintain habitable living conditions or to deduct the cost of such repairs from a rent payment when the tenant makes the repairs on their own
- The right to “reasonable” notice (in writing) prior to a landlord entering a property to inspect it or to make non-emergency repairs; generally, 24 – 48 hours is considered “reasonable” notice
- The right to not be retaliated against by a landlord, rental company, or property manager for filing a complaint, requesting repairs, or otherwise exercising a legal right
Call our office at (818) 507-8525 or contact us online today to request a complimentary consultation with one of our landlord-tenant dispute attorneys in Los Angeles.