Landlord/Tenant (California)

Written & Verbal Agreements
Written Agreements
Verbal Agreements

Written Agreements
A residential lease is often a written agreement that defines the rights and duties of both the landlord and the tenant. Keep in mind that a lease is a legal contract in which both parties promise to do things for one another. This contract obligates the landlord just as much as the tenant and the landlord can be taken to court if he does not abide by the lease terms. So read your lease carefully. And always ask yourself: "Which rules and regulations bind me and which rules and regulations bind my landlord.

Oral & Written Agreements (CA)
pp.14-16.

What Should I Know Before I Rent? (CA)
Types of leases, oral and written rental agreements, repairs, repair & deduct/maintenance, the landlord's right to enter, evictions & lockouts, losing a lawsuit and discrimination.

Where To Get Legal Or Government Assistance (CA)

What Should I Know Before I Sign? (CA)
Types of contracts and those that must be in writing, cosigning for a loan, getting out of a contract and what to do if you feel you've been cheated.

http://www.mrlandlord.com/html/frametop_frametop.html (In 48 States, Not HI or MI)
This site has select laws from each state on security deposits, evictions and landlord laws, but it's not consumer friendly. Their "landlord Laws sections may have stuff on notice to end tenancy and other stuff tenants should know.

Verbal Agreements
You have a verbal rental agreement whenever you rent without a written lease. In most cases, verbal and written agreements are equally valid and equally binding. In other words, both you or the landlord can sue when the other person breaches their obligations.

But there are major differences too. Many states have special laws that apply exclusively to verbal contracts.
These laws are not negotiable, which means they bind both you and your landlord even if other terms were agreed upon.

Take Georgia for example. In Georgia, before ending the rental agreement the landlord must give the tenant a full 60 days notice. This law is not up for discussion. The landlord must give the tenant the full 60 days even when both of them had previously agreed to a mere 30 days.

Another major difference involves the duration of verbal agreements. Most states will hold that a verbal contract to rent for more than a year is null and void. When a contact is null and void, either party can walk away without penalty.

Oral & Written Agreements (CA)
See Pages 14-16.

Where To Get Legal Or Government Assistance (Consumer-SOS)

What Should I Know Before I Sign? (CA)
Types of contracts and those that must be in writing, cosigning for a loan, getting out of a contract and what to do if you feel you've been cheated.

Roommates

Roommates & You
Very well organized discussion of issues in selecting and living with a roommate from paying the rent, to quiet hours, to where you'll leave phone messages.

The Talk All Roommates Must Have
Learn the essential things you need to ask someone before you decide to room with them. Very Good!!!!

Reverse Lookups-Finding The Name & Address When You Only Have The Phone #
Strange # on your phone bill? Find out who it belongs to.

Choosing A Roommate
Placing ads, roommate services, living with friends, and knowing what you want are all covered in this article.

Are Roommate Matching Services Safe?
Article discussing what to look for in a roommate matching service and how to protect your privacy.

Making Rental Payments With Roommates
Tips to protect your tenant/credit record when sharing lease responsibilities with roommates.

Form Letters And Practical Advice On Dealing With Unruly Roommates

Index Of Roommate Related Articles

Where To Go For More Help

Moving Out

New And Old Rules For Landlords & Tenants -- Part 1: Residential Tenancies (CA)
Duty to install security devices, ending the rental agreement, eviction, notice to the landlord or tenant, attorneys' fees, and how foreclosure on the landlord affects your lease.

www.dca.ca.gov/legal/landlordbook/index.html (CA)
Tenant help book with information on ending the tenancy, repairs, security deposits, rent issues/rent increases/rent control, evictions, rights under written and oral agreements, subleasing, the landlords right of entry, discrimination and retaliation. Also has help #s and resources.

Where To Get Legal Or Government Assistance (CA)

Security Deposits (CA)

Right To Tenant's Property Left Behind (CA)

Uninhabitable Premises/Constructive Eviction

Landlord-Tenant Statutes (50 States & DC)
This site has select laws from each state on security deposits, evictions and landlord laws, but it's not consumer friendly. Their "landlord Laws sections may have stuff on notice to end tenancy and other stuff tenants should know.

Landlord's Right Of Entry

Can The Landlord Enter Without My Permission? (CA)

Your Rights Against Illegal Entry (CA)

Where To Get Legal Or Government Assistance (CA)

When The Landlord Can Enter The Rental Unit (CA)
See page 32.

When The Landlord Can Enter Your Apartment (General)

Notice Requirements To Enter Property (Chart For All 50 States)

Back To Top

Subleasing

Subleases & Assignments (CA) (P. 34.)
Tenant help book with information on subleasing, ending the tenancy, repairs, security deposits, rent issues/rent increases/rent control, evictions, rights under written and oral agreements, the landlords right of entry, discrimination and retaliation. Also has help #s and resources.

Where To Get Legal Or Government Assistance (CA)

Nuisances, Noise & Neighbors

California Municipal Codes and Ordinances
See what city laws regulate the problem and then take action.

Contacting Your Neighbors (Consumer-SOS)
Use Internet phone books and reverse lookups to find out who your neighbors are and contact them. Good to organize a neighborhood watch, or simply have them turn down the noise.

Uninhabitable Premises/Constructive Eviction (Consumer-SOS)

Getting Your Neighbors To Turn Down The Noise (General)

Dog Bite Law (California)

Dog Bite Law In General

Where To Go For More Help

How To Start Your Own Neighborhood Watch (CA)

Noise & Neighbors (General, mostly for homes)

Find Your City's Municipal Codes
Learn how your city code treats, garbage, nuisance and safety hazards. If you can't find your city, follow their links to other code sites that can help you.