A Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords'Rights and Responsibilities
What You Should Know
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California Tenants
provided by California Department of Consumer Affairs |
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Who is a “Landlord” and who is a “Tenant?”
A landlord is a person or a company that owns a rental unit. The landlord rents or leases the rental unit to another person, called a tenant, for the tenant to live in...read more
Looking For A Rental Unit
When you are looking for a rental unit, the most important things to think about are: the dollar limit that you can afford for monthly rent and utilities, the dollar limit that you can afford for all deposits that may be, the location that you want...read more
Before You Agree To Rent
Before you decide on a rental unit, there are several other points to consider. For example: Is an oral rental agreement legally binding? What are the differences between a lease and a rental agreement? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each?...read more
When You Have Decided to Rent
Before you sign a rental agreement or a lease, read it carefully so that you understand all of its terms. What kind of terms should be in the rental agreement or lease? Can the rental agreement or lease limit the basic rights that the law gives to all tenants?...read more
Living in the Rental Unit
As a tenant, you must take reasonable care of your rental unit and any common areas that you use. You must also repair all damage that you cause, or that is caused by anyone for whom you are responsible, such as your family, guests, or pets...read more
Dealing with Problems
Most landlord-tenant relationships go smoothly. However, problems sometimes do arise. For example, what if the rental unit’s furnace goes out in the middle of the winter? What happens if the landlord sells the building or decides to convert it into condominiums?...read more
Moving Out
To end a periodic rental agreement (for example, a month-to-month agreement), you must give your landlord proper written notice before you move. You must give the landlord the same amount of notice as there are days between rent payments...read more
Terminations and Evictions
A landlord can terminate (end) a month-to-month tenancy simply by giving the tenant 30 days’ advance written notice. However, the landlord can terminate the tenancy by giving the tenant only three days’ advance written notice if the tenant has done any of the following...read more
Resolving Problems
Communication is the key to avoiding and resolving problems. If you have a problem with your rental unit, it’s usually best to talk with your landlord before taking other action. Your landlord may be willing to correct the problem or to work out a solution. By the same token, the landlord (or the landlord’s agent or manager) should discuss problems with the tenant before taking formal action...read more
