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Slumlord Issues
Repair and Maintenance Laws in California
My rental agreement began nine months ago and part of an oral agreement (aside from the written one-year lease) was that the landlord would have the deck fixed. The front of the house is completely blocked off. The wooden deck and the stairs leading to the upper units have been removed and thus, I have no front entry. There are no caution signs posted and the space beneath the deck is open. The stairs leading to the deck have been blocked off by particle board. The landlord did not hire professionals to remove the deck and I've been informed that he has not complied with state regulations. Also, there is no fire extinguisher on the premise. The fire detector was placed above the stove so it went off every time I cooked - I have removed it for that reason. The windows have no locks and the screens have fallen off a few of the windows. The panes have been painted over and are very difficult if not impossible to open - and if I do open them they become difficult to close. (This issue also extends to cupboards and drawers - which have also been painted over). Also, Belladonnna tree grows in the backyard and I believe I am allergic to it...
I have found a more suitable rental and I would like to move asap but the landlord insists (regardless of my complaints) that I must finish my lease term - three more months. However, the conditions that I have listed have greatly reduced my quality of life. I am very unhappy with my environment. The couple upstairs has recently moved due to the same reasons.
My lease ended last month and now I'm on month-to-month. The landlord seems to have overlooked that... so can I offer him last month's rent for october and move out at the end of this month? Or must it be 30 days from the date I give him notice? That is - unless I declare the place is unlivable. I would like to move into the new place asap.
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Re: Slumlord Issues
You have to give him 30 days notice. I suggest doing so.
I doubt that your circumstances would result in a court's excusing you from the lease, but if this goes to court for some reason I personally would try getting a rent abatement (part of my rent payment back) for the months when the serious defects (e.g., the front porch problems) were present.