Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California
Re: Broken Heater / Tenant's Rights
I have drafted a letter to the mgmt. Below is the body - is it OK?
''The heater should have been inspected and repaired before I moved in and
the lack of a working heater violates the implied warranty of habitability. It is also in violation of California Civil Code Section 1941.1d.
Considering the circumstances (no heat in winter) a reasonable amount of time has passed since I first contacted Roque Mark by phone and thus I am exercising my right as a tenant to �repair and deduct� as stated in Civil Code Section 1941.
I have purchased a space heater for the apartment and have included a copy of the receipt. I will be deducting this amount from my rent for January.
The lack of heat has made the apt uninhabitable. I have had to stay with a friend since the beginning of the month and as such I have not gotten my money�s worth in regards to the rent I already paid for December. Starting today I will be spending nights in my apartment again so it would be fair of you to also reimburse me for the following:
--the portion of the electric bill from today�s date until the apartment heater is fixed; &
--the pro-rated rent from December 1st until December 28th (today), which amounts to $1440.00.''
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Re: Broken Heater / Tenant's Rights
Yes, the letter is find except for your need to polish some of the sentences. Also, it should not be "it would be fair of you" but rather, Since a reasonable person could not live in the apartment for at least the time I had to stay with a friend 12/1 to and including 12/28/07, and , thus, I was constructively evicted from my apartment, legally I do not owe any rent for that period of time. Please refund me with 5 business days of today that sum which is $1,440.00 [is total rent divided by 31 days times days gone from apt., and do not round it off].
Re: Re: Broken Heater / Tenant's Rights
Mr. Shers' answer is excellent.
Follow his advice.