My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: California
Our maintenance guy replaced my garbage disposal, didn't punch out for dishwasher to drain, so dishwasher flooded floor and countertop (weird, yes, but the entire counter above dishwasher had about an inch of water), ruined a near-new book and miscellaneous papers sitting on the counter.
I called the prop mgr the night it happened. No reply (not just about the book but the whole situation). A couple days later I left another message, then saw the maintenance guy in the hall when I got home and he fixed the disposal (admitting he installed it wrong). The manager never called back about my book or the flood. (Pretty typical.)
Next rent check I deducted for the book, attaching a breakdown of the price ($33) and tax, and a photo of the (warped) back cover with price. I don't have renter's insurance and I'm told this, being maintenance negligence, would not be covered anyway.
A day or two later she (prop mgr) calls my sister in NY (!) and when she finally reaches me says we didn't discuss this. Yeah, why is that? Because you didn't call back about it.
She said she needs the book (fine with me) and a receipt for the REPLACEMENT book. I have no time to go buy it now (I work full time and am in grad school). Isn't it enough for her to get the book with the price on it?
In a similar vein, my roof leaks every time it rains and she has not had it fixed despite numerous calls. The closet where the leak comes in is beginning to smell musty. I know it should be in writing; I mentioned it in one letter mostly about another matter that I mailed to a PO box on their website. Other than that it's all been phone calls. They don't give us a street address. Can I call a roofer and deduct it from my rent?

