Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

I do not know how the specific rent control ordinance might affect your rights - you'll want to speak with a tenant attorney in Los Angeles familiar with the statute that covers the area where you live - but in all likelihood, the notice is valid. Without reviewing the notices, I cannot give you a concrete, reliable opinion as to their validity, but as a general rule, if the lease contains some provision that requires you to obtain the landlord's permission before altering the property (most lease agreements contain this covenant), then the notice may be valid. It should be in the form of a notice to perform covenants or quit, not a notice to pay rent or quit. Even if you move, you may still be liable to the landlord for the cost of replacement of the trees, and if you are moving out of the property before the end of a term lease, you may also be liable for additional damages for breach of the lease agreement and early termination. I'd consult with an LA tenant rights attorney immediately. I won't even ask why you cut down three mature trees!

*Due to the limitations of the LawGuru Forums, The Gibbs Law Firm, APC's (the "Firm") participation in responding to questions posted herein does not constitute legal advice, nor legal representation of the person or entity posting a question. No Attorney/Client relationship is or shall be construed to be created hereby. The information provided is general and requires that the poster obtain specific legal advice from an attorney. The poster shall not rely upon the information provided herein as legal advice nor as the basis for making any decisions of legal consequence. As required by 11 U.S.C. �528, we must now disclose that, "We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code. Assistance we provide with respect to Debt Relief may involve bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code."

Look up Civil Code section 3346, which provides treble damages for wrongful injuries to timber, trees, or underwood upon the land of another, or removal thereof. If you cannot afford to replace the trees, can you afford three times that amount? I would suggest seeing if you could get the landlord to agree not to sue you if you move out. Otherwise, I'd guess you are in deep doo-doo.

Also, look at Code of Civil Procedure section 733, which basically says the same thing.