Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Property Management/Landlord/Tenant

Dear Sir or Ms.,

In February, I was asked by a friend and former roommate at a sober living home in Fontana, CA if I would like to manage a sober living home in Riverside, CA., 20 miles away. At first, I declined after considering the 40+ mile round trip for virtually all my daily activities, and having been at the Fontana location for 10 years, I was relatively happy. He kept calling and asking me to reconsider (3-4 times over several weeks), and when he said I would have a room to myself and free rent in exchange for the management duties, being an unemployed goldsmith (w/no job prospects) on Social Security, I agreed. Their priority was to fill the vacancies (5), and within 4 weeks the house was full. Two days later, they told me I was no longer needed, to pack up (a monumental task, lots of stuff) and move out. There was no documentation at all, verbal only. They have threatened to lock me out and/or sieze my belongings. I spoke with Legal Aid, and they were unable to provide any definitive answers as to my options/legal rights. Could you? Thank you so very much for your time and consideration. --name removed-


Asked on 6/15/09, 5:48 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jerold M. Gorski Law Offices of Jerold M. Gorski

Re: Property Management/Landlord/Tenant

Without a contract (employment and/or lease), your rights are limited. You are probably considered an "at-will" employee, which generally means you can be terminated easily (i.e., upon or "at" the "will" of the employer). However, you are also a tenant, so you have rights as a tenant.

You note that you are on Social Security. If you are 65 years of age or older (or any disabled dependent adult aged 18 to 64), then you may have some protection under Elder Abuse laws (which protect seniors not just from physical abuse, but also things like investment scams). Learn more at:

http://www.calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=10581&id=24443#lawer1

Contact me directly if you would like to discuss this in more detail.

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Answered on 6/15/09, 6:01 pm


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