Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California
Can I sue the owner or management co
My sister and I have a cleaning service and recently were hired by a friend to clean his place after he moved out. The place was a disaster and we explained to him that it would be quite expensive but he assured us that his landlord would be returning his deposit and we would be paid . The landlord had seen the place prior to our work and was aware of the condition as did a neighbor. We took pictures of the completed job for our friend in case he needed them for small claims court and presented him with our bill for over 50 hours. We provided the supplies, cleaned the carpets, and even spackled the walls. It's now been almost 2 months and we have not been paid so I called the property management co. and found out that because the tenants had owed a considerable amount of money they would not be returning the deposit. The friend who hired us has lost his job, phone has been disconnected and we are having a problem finding him! We've been lied to and cheated so we have no problem taking our friend to court if we can find him but I'm afraid he has no money. Could the property management co be named since they have rented out the property and would have had to hire a crew if we had not done the cleaning ?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Can I sue the owner or management co
The property management company did not hire you to do the work, and has no contract with you. You did the work at the request of, and on behalf of your friend. You don't have any cause of action against the management company - only your friend.
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Re: Can I sue the owner or management co
Unfortunately, you assumed the risk of not being paid when you chose to not be paid up front. The management company never agreed to pay you. Your only recourse is against your former friend. The judgment that you receive would be good for 10 years, and could be renewed thereafter. If your friend ever works again, you could levy his wages and/or bank account once you have a judgment in hand.
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