Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

I would send a certified letter to the landlord, attaching a copy of the rental agreement with the utility provision highlighted. I would argue that the landlord should not be responsible for cable TV, because that is not a necessary utility. But, certainly, you must have hot water, the absence of which is a health violation. Once the landlord is aware of your written demand and your request to abate rent because of that, one would hope that the landlord would pay attention.

I wouldn't be surprised if your landlord is having his/her own financial issues and the property is approaching or is in foreclosure. If you receive any notices from banks, you should contact them immediately to let them know of your tenancy and utilities issues. In certain localities, tenants have more rights than do former or current homeowners.