Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California
I live in California and want to move out of my apartment because of an ongoing bug infestation. My manager wants two months' rent for breaking my lease. She blames my food for attracting the bugs, and also says new buildings will have bug problems. My apartment isn't the only one with a bug infestation. They have tried to fix the problem but the bugs keep returning. What can I do about moving and not paying two months' rent for breaking my lease?
1 Answer from Attorneys
You can't. If you want to break a lease due to habitability issues, you first must get a determination from the local building and/or health authorities that the building is in violation of habitability laws. The owner is then given a deadline for fixing the problem. Only if they then fail to do so can you break your lease.
Related Questions & Answers
-
Can a renter permit people to live in a garage? Asked 2/17/17, 10:43 am in United States California Landlord & Tenants