Norther California landlord/tenant law firm Tag Archives

What to do if You Detect Toxic Mold in Your Apartment

November 28, 2018 | Gregory J. Brod

Everyone wants the assurance that their home is their safe place, but unfortunately this is not always the case. Sometimes, landlords can be lazy and fail to perform regular toxic mold inspections or remediation, and tenants may not notice until they start to exhibit symptoms. If you believe you are living with toxic mold in your apartment, follow the steps below and contact the toxic mold attorneys at Brod Law Firm to learn more about your rights and options.

California Laws Regarding Toxic Mold

While federal law regulates the disclosure and prevention of lead paint, it makes no mention of toxic mold. California law requires landlords to disclose the presence of toxic mold in a residence building, when the level of mold exceeds a safe level, to tenants but does not provide any rules or guidelines for preventing or clearing out toxic mold.

What Happens When Someone Buys Your Apartment Building?

September 13, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

Apartment buildings or rental houses and condos are typically investment properties for the landlords. As with any investment, there may come a time when it is better for the landlord to sell than to hold on to it. This means that one day, you may receive a letter notifying you that your building or home has been sold and you have a new landlord. This poses a number of questions, one of the most common being: What happens when someone buys your apartment?

Tenant Rights When the Rental Property is Sold

The most important thing to know when your apartment building, single-family house, or condo is sold is that the new owner is legally required to honor your lease. If you have a typically one-year lease, you have the right to carry it out and continue living there. The new landlord cannot evict you simply because of the change of ownership.

Lies Your Landlord May Tell You

July 3, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

Renting in California can be extremely difficult. There are not enough apartments to go around, which puts landlords in a position of power. They can raise rents, and even when they should not, they can get picky about who they let live in their units. To remain in a position of power and to benefit from the situation as much as possible, some landlords will resort to lying. You should look out for these common lies and understand how to protect your rights.

Lies Your Landlord May Tell You

There are certain fibs a landlord may tell in California, including:

Your Rights to Have Appliances Repaired or Replaced

June 21, 2017 | Gregory J. Brod

When you move into your apartment, a number of appliances may already be there, like a refrigerator, stove and oven, microwave, dishwasher, air conditioning unit, and washer and dryer. You assume you are responsible for the daily care of these appliances, but what about when they break? Is it up to you to get a broken appliance repaired? If the issue cannot be fixed, who replaces it? In some situations, your landlord should repair or replace an appliance for you. However, this is not always the case.

Does Your Landlord Have to Repair or Replace an Appliance?

The first question is whether the landlord is required to provide that appliance by state law, local ordinance, or the lease. California law does not require landlords to provide appliances. It is unexpected to see an apartment without the basics like a refrigerator and stove. However, renting a unit without them is not unlawful.

Can I Withhold Rent Until My Landlord Fixes the Problems?

December 18, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Tenants in the San Francisco area often wonder what they can do if their landlord fails to fix problems with their apartment. Landlords are responsible for providing a space that is livable. There are some things that tenants can do to resolve issues that are not being taken care of by the landlord. Tenant’s rights are protected by law.

Conditions That Make Premises Uninhabitable

There are a number of conditions that may make an apartment or home unlivable. Some of the most common conditions include:

A Reminder that Northern California Renters Have Rights, Even Amid Affordable Housing Shortage

April 8, 2016 | Gregory J. Brod

Housing is one of the biggest concerns for many in the Bay Area. While the high cost of housing in San Francisco has received national attention, the problem does not stop at the city’s border. The cost of renting in Oakland and throughout Northern California continues to rise and the resulting shortage of affordable housing has left many renters feeling like they are at their landlord’s mercy. It is important to remember renters have rights, in any economy, and our Oakland landlord-tenant law firm helps renters who have been mistreated by their landlord fight back.

Oakland Announces Moratorium on Evictions and Rent Increases

According to CBS SF, in an effort to stem this growing housing crisis Oakland City Council unanimously passed a 90-day moratorium on rent increases and evictions. The Council hopes this period will give officials time to author and pass new rules to help protect renters. Landlords opposed the measure and one called it merely showmanship. The moratorium follows the Council’s vote back in October to approve funds for a program aimed at educating tenants about their rights. Notably, however, that money hasn’t been released yet per one councilmember.