Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

I have begun renting a house as a tenant. The house came with a manual-operating garage door opener and I asked the owner if I could install an electric one. The owner stated that as long as I got a professional to do the job and paid for it in full myself I could have it done.

In addition, the owner stated that when I leave the house they want me leave anything I installed (including the expensive garage door opener) in place and that I am not allowed to take it with me. This agreement was not included in our lease paperwork; but is this request even legal? Thanks.


Asked on 1/23/13, 4:16 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

It is not only legal, it would be true even without an agreement. Any appliances that are affixed to the structure become legally part of the structure and cannot be legally removed by the tenant when they leave. Tenants lease property as-is (subject to laws governing habitable condition, etc.). If they choose to improve it for their benefit it is at the expense of leaving the improvements behind when they go.

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Answered on 1/23/13, 5:03 pm


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