Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

illegal unit?

I have recently started to date a woman and was surprised when she took me to her home. She lives in a converted ''tool shed'' in the back year of Marin home. There are actually two of them that the landlord rents. She pays $500.00 per month to live there. No running water or kitchen - she has to go into the main house for that. Also the landlord enters her unit without notice and leaves the door unlocked.

1) Is a converted ''tool shed'' an illegal unit?

2) what actions can she take against this landlord?

I might add that the landlord also does not follow the general laws needed (ie: paying interest on deposit, etc etc)

thank you for your help

M


Asked on 4/02/03, 3:07 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Ken Koenen Koenen & Tokunaga, P.C.

Re: illegal unit?

No, it is not a legal unit. She could quit paying rent, and the fact that it is an illegal unit will prevent the landlord from collecting the same during an eviction. She could probably recover past rents if she files a law suit.

The landlord is not required to hold the funds in an interest bearing account.

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Answered on 4/02/03, 3:22 pm


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