Eviction Service

In the ideal world, tenants who move out of a rental property will take all their belongings with them.  Many tenants, however, leave behind all sorts of personal property, occasionally including an abandoned vehicle.  This article discusses how the landlord can lawfully remove the vehicle from the premises without risking exposure to liability for misappropriation…

This article addresses whether a landlord can be held liable for damages resulting from criminal activity at the rental unit.  The answer is “maybe”, depending on whether the plaintiff can establish that the criminal conduct was foreseeable.  In this context, foreseeability generally requires the prior occurrence of similar criminal acts occurring at the premises, and…

This article outlines a landlord’s options in situations where the tenant has breached an obligation to pay for utilities.  Can the security deposit be used to cover that obligation?  Can the landlord pursue an eviction against the tenant based on unpaid utility bills?  What other rights and obligations may a landlord have when the tenant…

The high cost of living in California has prompted many homeowners to seek extra income by renting out part of their home to an individual while continuing to live in the unrented portion.  This type of landlord-tenant relationship is commonly known as a “single family lodger” arrangement. Evicting a “lodger” under California law is easier…

Landlords owe certain duties to their tenants, including the obligation to provide a habitable premises to the tenant.  Tenants also have legal obligations arising out of the rental arrangement, including the duty to keep the unit in a clean and habitable condition.  This article explores the interplay of these respective obligations when the unit has…

Squatters create serious problems for landlords in California and elsewhere.  If you own rental property, it’s important for you to be able to identify squatters, understand how to prevent the problem, and know how to get rid of them when they refuse to leave the rental unit.  Who is a Squatter? A squatter is an…

At some point during the landlord-tenant relationship you may be faced with a tenant’s request to lease part or all of the premises to a third party.  For example, the tenant may find it necessary to cover monthly rent payments due to an extended absence from the dwelling, or a tenant may want to create…

Over the past decade hoarding has officially been considered a disability under state and federal anti-discrimination laws.  In the context of a hoarding case, the law requires the landlord to provide a “reasonable accommodation” to the tenant in an effort to solve the problem.  The landlord’s failure to do so creates a defense to an…

Messy tenants can be problematic for landlords and other tenants residing in nearby units.  Competing considerations are at play, namely, the tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment of the premises and the landlord’s right to protect the unit from diminishing in value due to the tenant’s negligence.  This article provides guidance on how to deal with…

Collecting rent on time is a fundamental component of a successful rental property business.  All rental contracts should include a clause specifying how, when, and where monthly rent must be paid.  Here are the choices available to California landlords, and suggestions on which option may make the most sense for you.    Collect in Person…