Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Landlord refusing my rent (on time)

I live in West Hollywood in a rent controlled unit. I have lived here 12 years. In February, due to the landlord's negligence (he has admitted culpability), the unit above me and myself experienced a leak in our ceilings during a storm. He told both of us that he would pay for our property that was damaged. He settled with the tenant above but has refused to even look at or send an adjuster to assess my damaged property. He told me (via the manager) to ''sue him''. I currently have my petition filled out and ready to file in small claims court. This month -August 2006- when I went to pay my rent to the manager, I was informed that she had been instructed to refuse to take any payments from me. She told me that the landlord is going to evict me due to the fact that he knows I'm suing him for the damages. What rights do I have?


Asked on 8/11/06, 12:46 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Samuel Lovely Law Office of Samuel Lovely

Re: Landlord refusing my rent (on time)

Doing everything Mr. Cohen recommended will provide you with a solid defense in the event of an attempted eviction, and may well forestall an eviction all together.

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Answered on 8/11/06, 12:28 pm
Robert F. Cohen Law Office of Robert F. Cohen

Re: Landlord refusing my rent (on time)

You have every right to stay! Run to City Hall and file a complaint with the Rent Stabilization Board, and they will investigate, and might even abate your rent if the water problem was severe. In the meantime, keep the rent money in a segregated bank account. Also send the owner a certified, return receipt letter setting forth all that occurred as far as the rent goes, and send a copy to the rent stabilization board.

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Answered on 8/11/06, 1:31 am


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