Eviction Service

This article addresses evictions from illegal units in California.  Specifically, if a landlord tries to evict a tenant from a unit with no certificate of occupancy (i.e., an “illegal” unit) must the tenant always move out?   The answer is “yes”, assuming the landlord follows proper procedure required by California’s eviction statutes.  Under California law,…

Every landlord should complete a thorough screening process when offering a rental to prospective tenants.  Here are some tips on the information you should gather during the screening process, and which areas of inquiry you should stay clear of to ensure compliance with fair-housing laws.  Characteristics of the Ideal Tenant The ideal tenant will have…

Landlords have the option of requiring tenants to maintain renters’ insurance as a condition to entering into the lease or rental agreement with the tenant. It is good practice for a landlord to include such a clause because the cost of renters insurance is relatively low and there are worthwhile benefits for both the landlord…

As a landlord or property manager, you have the option of renting your property for a fixed term, usually 12 months, or on a month-to-month basis. This article discusses the pros and cons of a month-to-month rental contract, as compared to the longer fixed term lease.  Pros and Cons of Month-to-Month Leases A month-to-month rental…

Rental walk-through inspections are typically done by the landlord at the beginning and end of the lease term.  Inspections are essential for both landlords and tenants because they provide a framework for identifying and assigning responsibility for damages to the rental unit during the tenancy.  Here’s a brief overview of what should be covered at…

Government-subsidized Section 8 housing is regulated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This article provides an overview of how to become a Section 8 landlord and the pros/cons of participating in the Program.     Section 8 Approval Process The first step towards securing Section 8 tenants is contacting the local housing authority…

What options are available to a landlord when a tenant causes damage to the rental property?  For damages beyond normal wear and tear, the landlord is entitled to charge the tenant for loss.  The tenant may also be subject to eviction for causing the property damage.  Here’s are some suggestions on how to approach and…

A California landlord is entitled to evict a tenant who causes or permits a nuisance. This article discusses what constitutes a nuisance under California law and how to deal with the problem from a practical and legal perspective.  “Nuisance” Defined A nuisance is defined as an act that is injurious to health or is indecent…

No matter how careful you are as a landlord, there is a decent chance you will eventually face the unpleasant prospect of having to go to court to evict a tenant.  Proper planning for that event begins with tenant screening process and continues through preparation for trial on the merits.  Here are some tips on…

Under California law, when an owner rents real property to the resident, the resident is entitled to exclusive possession of the premises, even to the exclusion of the owner or property manager of the premises. There are, however, exceptions to this general rule, as codified by Civil Code section 1954.  Here is a summary of…