Renting a home balances rights and responsibilities between landlords and tenants. Understanding these rights and responsibilities can prevent misunderstandings and promote a healthy landlord-tenant relationship. One concern you might have as a tenant is your...
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Landlord/Tenant Concerns
California bill aims to cap security deposits on rentals
California's chronic housing shortage has been a point of contention for years. Lawmakers are attempting to address the issue with a bill that would cap security deposits on rentals to one month's rent. How might this proposed legislation impact landlords and tenants...
California landlords and control over tenant plant choices
As a tenant, personalizing the rental property to feel more like home is a common desire. One way to do this is through the addition of plants around the house. However, can a landlord in California have control over what plants a tenant chooses to have around their...
What clauses are illegal in a California lease agreement?
Lease agreements can benefit the lessor and the lessee by ensuring each party can rely on the other to provide what each has promised. However, the property owner typically drafts the contract and has the upper hand. While landlords want to protect their properties...
How to avoid tenant headaches
When investing in property to rent to tenants, you take on immense responsibility. Many people consider rental income to be passive, but you still have to work to remain within the letter of the law and maintain a good relationship with your tenants. While you should...
Reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities
As a landlord, you have a set of obligations to your tenant. Understanding your responsibilities can help prevent common disputes between landlords and tenants. For example, your tenants may ask you to provide accommodations due to a disability, but if you do not know...
What should you know about the Fair Housing Act?
Discrimination unfortunately has a foothold in many aspects of life. This even includes the process of leasing real estate. However, the federal Fair Housing Act exists to protect potential tenants from discrimination, providing a clear guideline to landlords on how...
How does a holding deposit work?
When you are trying to find a new rental, you have the option of paying the landlord a holding deposit. This money secures your interest in the property. You would pay this upfront to the landlord when you express your interest in the property. It can be beneficial to...
What can a landlord do with a tenant’s abandoned property?
Many California landlords have had to deal with a tenant’s abandoned property after they move out. A landlord often has to clean and repair damage along with deciding whether the property left behind is trash or valuable. There are guidelines a landlord needs to...
Understanding security deposits
There are important requirements associated with security deposits that landlords and tenants should both be familiar with. To ensure that all the parties are protected, it is essential to be familiar with how security deposits work. Requirements associated with...