Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Illegal utility shut off in a forclosed house

I am a tentant in a house that is bank owned due to foreclosure. The previous owner was responsible for the utlities,and owes $2,000 at the time of foreclosure. The new owners/ bank gave us a 30 day Notice to Quit dated June 2. The water was shut off on June 3rd. The Health Dept got involved, had a hearing & were unable to resolve the issue. Today, the power got shut off. The property is listed as single family residence yet I live in illegal garage conversion of which Building & Safety & Housing Dept notified new owner they must comply with Order to Comply & convert my unit back ino garage but must evict with relocation assistance. Building & Safety put a hold on Utility Company until the owners comply. I was advised to sue in small claims for the time utilities have been off, but I have no where to go in the meantime. I am not working due to disability .What rights do i have?


Asked on 7/18/08, 7:38 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Robert L. Bennett Law offices of Robert L. Bennett

Re: Illegal utility shut off in a forclosed house

Not many.

There are some complex issues here. If your local Legal Aid office cannot assist you, you have severe problems.

No matter what, you should have been out as of midnight on the July 1, and since this has passed, you are very lucky. You won't live there very much longer.

You have no rights.

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Answered on 7/18/08, 9:10 pm


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