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Los Angeles Tenants Gain New Eviction & Anti-Displacement Protections in 2023

The City of Los Angeles has one of the State of California’s most robust rent ordinances protecting Los Angeles tenants from dramatic rent increases, tenant harassment, and evictions.  As the COVID-19 eviction moratoria terminate across California, the City of Los Angeles promulgated new legislation designed to Los Angeles tenants from ...

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Oakland Tenants Now Protected From Pretextual and Technical Breach of Lease Violations

On Tuesday, June 6, 2023, the Oakland City Council passed legislation strengthening the Oakland Rent Ordinance to protect Oakland tenants.  The amendments limit pretextual evictions and evictions based on trivial or technical lease violations.  Not every breach of lease warrants an eviction lawsuit.  Now, Oakland tenants are protected from experiencing ...

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Can My Landlord Enter My Yard Without Permission?

California tenants are protected from unauthorized landlord entry.  However, California tenants must provide their landlords with reasonable and lawful access to the rental unit.  Although the law clearly covers the rental unit, must their landlords provide advanced, written notice of entry for California tenants with yards?  Or can the landlord ...

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California Tenant Water Service Bill Rights

As water plays a vital role in daily life and sustenance, understanding California law regarding water service bills is essential for California tenants to prevent excessive water usage, high water bills, and waste.  Please continue reading for clarity regarding California tenant rights regarding their water service bills, including late fees, ...

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Can A Landlord Make a Tenant Pay for Repairs in California?

In California, every residential tenancy contains an implied warranty of habitability requiring landlords to maintain rental units in a habitable condition during the tenancy.  Green v. Superior Court (Sumski), 10 Cal. 3d 616, 629 (1974).  The warranty of habitability demands landlords keep rental units in, “a condition fit for such ...

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Can Landlords Force California Tenants to Use Smart Locks?

With the ubiquity of smartphones and smartwatches, landlords are increasingly installing smart locks – electronic front door locks operated by applications installed on various smart devices – throughout the United States.  Smart lock software is in more than 125,000 units nationwide.  Further, the smart lock market value is forecasted to ...

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Can California Tenants Change Their Rental Unit Locks?

California tenants may wish to unilaterally change their rental unit locks for various reasons, including after losing their keys, suffering stalking, or when their landlord abuses the right of access.  Depending on the specific circumstances, the consequences of changing the locks could range from nothing to an eviction that ultimately ...

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Can My Landlord Change the Locks on My Unit?

Can My Landlord Change the Locks on My Unit? Landlords can never change the locks to a California tenant’s rental unit during their lawful tenancy. California Civil Code § 789.3. The law is clear: California tenants are protected from “self-help” remedies, including illegal lockouts.  Spinks v. Equity Residential Briarwood Apts., ...

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