Results 1 to 2 of 2

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Santa Barbara
    Posts
    6

    Default Can a Landlord Sue Me for "Lost Rent"

    My question involves a security deposit in the State of: California

    My former Landlord (who is also an attorney) has sued me claiming I damaged two interior doors in the apartment which resulted in an untenantable unit. He further claims he lost two months rent ($4,600) while he fixed these problems. The damages are not in dispute. I admitted that my movers damaged the interior doors and I paid a door company for parts and labor for installing two new interior doors prior to vacating. The landlord only needed to coordinate with the Installer for painting and installation after we vacated as well as doing some touch up paint in the hallway. My questions are:

    1. Is a claim that I made the unit "Untenantable" because of the damaged interior doors valid? I am familiar with Cal Civic Code 1941.1 which states " a dwelling may be deemed untenantable if it is lacking...(a) Effective waterproofing and weather protection of roof and exterior walls, including unbroken windows and doors". For the purposes of this section, I'm unsure if the code is referring to Interior or Exterior Doors, or both?

    2. If I did in fact render the unit "Entenantable", as a result of damaging the two interior doors, is a landlord entitled to "Lost Rent" while he spent two months (which is unreasonable in itself) to fix the issues?

    Any code sections you can refer me to would be helpful. Thank you in advance for your advice...

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Can a Landlord Sue Me for "Lost Rent"

    .(a) Effective waterproofing and weather protection of roof and exterior walls, including unbroken windows and doors"
    they are speaking of the exterior doors.

    was the damage so bad the doors wouldn't close or a big hole in them? Was the work greater than removing some hinge pins and putting up the new doors such as; did they have to replace the entire frame?


    anyway, 2 months is absurd even if he could make such a claim, which I do not believe he could. It takes less than a day to perform a typical door install, and that is with having to replace the frame as well as the door. I think the guy is full of....himself.

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Cleaning and Repairs: Can Landlord Charge Us for "Prorated Rent Credit to New Tenant"
    By MrManager in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 08-04-2011, 06:39 PM
  2. Rent and Utilities: Section 8 Housing Authority "Side Payment" of Rent
    By allansimons in forum Landlord-Tenant Law
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-07-2010, 08:17 PM
  3. Replies: 3
    Last Post: 07-07-2009, 04:02 PM
  4. Unemployment Benefits: Online Claims Are "Lost in Space"
    By nyn808 in forum Employment and Labor
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 12-14-2008, 09:56 PM
  5. Student Privacy: School "Lost" My Family's Confidential Information
    By dieanotherday in forum Education Law
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 05-02-2008, 08:27 AM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources