My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: California
My landlord has violated several health/safety/disclosure laws in my lease/tenancy. I would like to use these violations to fight an exorbitant, unfair rent increase.
In my lease, there is a mediation clause:
MEDIATION:
A.
Consistent with paragraphs B and C below, Landlord and Tenant agree to mediate any dispute or claim arising between them out
of this Agreement, or any resulting transaction, before resorting to court action. Mediation fees, if any, shall be divided equally
among the parties involved. If, for any dispute or claim to which this paragraph applies, any party commences an action without first
attempting to resolve the matter through mediation, or refuses to mediate after a request has been made, then that party shall
not be entitled to recover attorney fees, even if they would otherwise be available to that party in any such action.
B. The following matters are excluded from mediation: (i) an unlawful detainer action; (ii) the filing or enforcement of a mechanic's
lien; and (iii) any matter within the jurisdiction of a probate, small claims or bankruptcy court. The filing of a court action to enable
the recording of a notice of pending action, for order of attachment, receivership, injunction, or other provisional remedies, shall
not constitute a waiver of the mediation provision.
C.
Landlord and Tenant agree to mediate disputes or claims involving Listing Agent, Leasing Agent or property manager (“Broker”),
provided Broker shall have agreed to such mediation prior to, or within a reasonable time after, the dispute or claim is presented to
such Broker. Any election by Broker to participate in mediation shall not result in Broker being deemed a party to this Agreement.
My plan is to request mediation without getting into specifics of violations, otherwise they can try to fix them before any penalties are imposed. Can I do this without citing specifics? Basically just notify them I am requesting mediation based on laws/statutes they have broken?

