Ideally, a landlord and tenant will have a mutually beneficial relationship, where the landlord receives timely lease and the tenant obtains the exclusive right to possess a rental unit. The state of California has clearly defined rules and regulations regarding the rights of both tenants and landlords along with the protections afforded to each party, according to the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA). Know your rights before deciding to lease from a landlord as a tenant.
Unlawful Discrimination
Tenants have the right to be considered a candidate for tenancy irrespective of group or personal characteristics. Safe group characteristics include race, religion, sex, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, source of income or disability. Personal characteristics not related to the duties of tenancy, such as physical appearance may not disqualify a tenant. Married couples and domestic partners also have to be treated equally in terms of financial qualifications to lease a dwelling, based on DCA.
Habitability
Tenants have the right to a rental dwelling that’s habitable, or fit to live in, based on DCA. This usually means it complies with state and local building codes and will be appropriate for humans to occupy. Examples of conditions that may cause a device to be considered uninhabitable contain lead hazards, lack of running water or heat or insufficient trash receptacles. Landlords are bound to repair issues.
Security Deposits
Landlords are permitted to require a tenant to provide a monetary security deposit to be utilized as compensation for any damages to the house. According to DCA, landlords are permitted to utilize security deposits for outstanding rent, cleaning prices or repairs. A tenant has the right to receive the safety deposit within an itemized statement detailing also why and exactly what prices are being deducted, or 21 days of moving out. If the landlord does not refund the deposit or speak with the tenant within 21 days, the tenant has the right to receive a complete refund.
Rent Increases
Lease in effect between a landlord and tenant’s kind decides the legal rights of telling for any possible lease increases. Any rental with a duration of over 30 days provides the tenant protection from a rent increase until the conclusion of the rental, unless otherwise defined. Periodic lease agreements, like those for a month or week at a time, demand notice be provided to the tenant 30 days prior to the date the lease is due to be increased.
Lease Terminations
For month-to-month tenants, 30 days is the minimum requirement for landlords to supply indicating a petition to terminate the tenancy. Tenants that have dwelt in a unit for at least a year must receive 60 days’ notice prior to a lease termination. Landlords have the right to give renters three days’ notice to vacate if rent is outstanding, conditions of the rental are broken or unlawful activities are committed by tenants.