My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of California.
I have a tenant who sign a contract for a year. It has been 4 months and she wants to move out.
There was a little problem with the roof - leak in one of the bathroom. I fixed it right away. Unfortunately, the leak continued. I didn't know about it because the tenant didn't tell me about it so I thought, the roof is fixed. After 3 weeks she called me, that the roof is still leaking. So I send my workers to temporary fix it and I explained her, that we need at least 3 dry days to fix the whole roof. She was ok with it and didn't complain. Now, she called and said, she is moving out because she has been sick from the leak and minor mold (she mentioned the mold a week ago). There is NOTHING written, she is not going to pay rent for March, she wants her deposit back...and she is not willing to talk about anything.
I know, I can provide her a different place for her to stay in while fixing the roof! But I think I should get paid for the days of March, when she was living there without noticing us about any problems. After we fix the roof, she should move back in and pay the rent from the day, right? She still have 8 months to go!!! Please help, what are my rights and what are hers. I want to be fair and I do understand the leak issue. But she can't just move out not paying anything, and cancel the contract. Or am I mistaking?
Thank you very much for your quick response, this is very important for me to know before this weekend.
M.