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Habitability Law FAQs

The habitability laws in San Francisco and throughout California provide a great deal of protection for tenants. These laws make sure any rental unit is in a safe condition that will not cause tenants harm. However, simply having an undesirable condition within a premises is not necessarily a reason for a habitability lawsuit. This has led to many frequently asked questions about habitability lawsuits. Below, our San Francisco habitability lawyer outlines some of the questions we most commonly hear and the answers to them.

  1. What is Implied Warranty of Habitability in California?
  2. What Does ‘Habitable’ Legally Mean for Rental Units?
  3. What Requirements Must Landlords Meet in California?
  4. How Can Landlords Avoid Making Repairs?
  5. What Conditions Qualify for a Breach of Implied Warranty of Habitability?
  6. How Long Do Landlords Have to Make Repairs?
  7. How Can I Prove an Uninhabitable Condition?
  8. What Can I Do if My Landlord Ignores Repair Requests?
  9. What Consequences Do Landlords Face if They Violate the Law?
  10. What Are the Obligations of Tenants?
  11. Why Contact a Habitability Lawyer in San Francisco?

What is Implied Warranty of Habitability in California?

In California, the implied warranty of habitability protects tenants by requiring landlords and property managers to maintain rental units that are suitable for living in. This law makes sure that minimum standards are met, and it cannot be waived in rental agreements or leases.

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What Does ‘Habitable’ Legally Mean for Rental Units?

For a rental unit to be considered legally habitable in California, it must meet certain conditions. Some of these are as follows:

  • Access to hot water
  • A roof that protects from the elements and is in good condition
  • Sturdy floors and walls
  • Electrical and plumbing systems that are adequate and in good working condition
  • A heating system that is in good working condition
  • A unit that is free from toxins, including mold, lead, and asbestos
  • Sufficient locks that protect tenants from intruders
  • Functioning windows and doors
  • A unit that is free from rodents and vermin such as rats, mice, cockroaches, and bed bugs

The above are just a few conditions that make a property ‘habitable.’ If you believe your rental unit is unsafe or unfit to live in, it is important to speak to a lawyer who can advise you of your rights.

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What Requirements Must Landlords Meet in California?

Landlords have a legal duty to make sure their rental units comply with safety, health, and building codes. Landlords are obligated to make necessary repairs to problems in units within a timely manner. This includes maintaining not only the property but also the utilities within the premises.

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How Can Landlords Avoid Making Repairs?

They cannot. Under the implied warranty law in California, landlords have a legal duty to provide and maintain habitable living conditions at all times. Any time a landlord fails to make the necessary repairs to serious problems, it may constitute a breach, and landlords can be held responsible.

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What Conditions Qualify for a Breach of Implied Warranty of Habitability?

It is imperative to understand what qualifies as a breach of the implied warranty of habitability. Not every minor problem will allow you to file a claim for a breach. Issues that materially, or significantly, impact your health safety, such as infestations, a lack of heat, or broken facilities, are typically considered a breach of implied warranty of habitability. Generally speaking, normal wear and tear does not constitute a breach unless the issue is serious enough to impact livability.

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How Long Do Landlords Have to Make Repairs?

Landlords must make necessary repairs within a reasonable amount of time. Generally speaking, this is within 30 days under California law. However, when an extensive repair is necessary, landlords may have a longer amount of time to fully correct a condition. When repairs are not made within a reasonable amount of time, it can constitute a breach.

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How Can I Prove an Uninhabitable Condition?

Whether you are going to file a complaint with a local government agency or you are going to file a lawsuit against your landlord, you must be able to prove your case. To do this, you should gather repair requests, photos, building inspections, witness accounts, certified letters, and anything else that can prove the uninhabitable condition, and the fact that you have notified your landlord about the problem.

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What Can I Do if My Landlord Ignores Repair Requests?

If a major habitability defect drags on for a long time and your landlord does not resolve it, you can legally pursue a lease termination or reduced rental rates. Before pursuing either of these options, it is critical that you consult with a San Francisco habitability attorney who can advise you on how to make a formal complaint and outline your other legal options.

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What Consequences Do Landlords Face if They Violate the Law?

Landlords who fail to remedy serious habitability defects will face serious consequences under the law in California. Specific penalties include:

  • Financial liability through court-approved withholding of rent
  • Formal breach of contract lawsuits filed by tenants
  • Government fines for building or health code violations
  • Court-approved rent reductions, property repairs, and lease terminations
  • Difficulty finding and keeping future tenants

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What Are the Obligations of Tenants?

As a tenant, you also have an obligation to maintain your rental unit in a habitable condition. Specifically, you should maintain your home in a condition that is as clean and sanitary as possible, regularly dispose of garbage with particular attention to food waste, use fixtures properly and clean them regularly to prevent rust and mildew, and refuse to allow other people to damage the property.

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Why Contact a Habitability Lawyer in San Francisco?

When you have a habitability dispute with your landlord, you may decide to proceed on your own. This is a mistake. A San Francisco habitability lawyer will:

  • Send formal notice to your landlord outlining the defects, make repair requests, and suggest remedies as well as reasonable timeframes
  • Negotiate on your behalf and use a number of options as leverage, including withholding of rent, rent reductions, or mediation attempts
  • Answer all of your questions so you can make informed decisions and have the best chance of obtaining a positive outcome

The above are just a few ways in which having legal representation during a habitability dispute is very helpful.

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Our Habitability Attorney in San Francisco Will Answer All of Your Questions

When you have a habitability issue in your rental unit, you will also have a lot of questions. At Brod Law Firm, our San Francisco habitability lawyer will answer all of them to make sure you understand your legal options so your problem can be resolved as quickly as possible. Call us now at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to request a free consultation and to learn more.


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