Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California
Absent landlord
The property management company sent a letter stopping the services on my rental . they gave a name and phone number of the owner. I tried to call her to set up a payment address and also to remind her of some major problems with the property. she never called or came to my residence. She has been absent for a year. Now I received an letter stating to deposit the money in a bank account..fill out a deposit slip at the bank. she did not send any. If any repairs made, she will let me know at a latter date where to send the receipts. No return address or phone number offered by her. She has since left me a few messages with no return number. She is unwilling to meet with me and the property have major repair issues. What do I do?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Absent landlord
Document your attempts to contact her and your requests for repairs, then consider hiring someone to make the repairs and deduct the repair costs from your rent.
Re: Absent landlord
You've got a real problem there.
I can't give you meaningful advice on this without a lot more facts. Deduct and repair could be a real problem for you, or not, depending upon these additional facts.
You should consult with a lawyer with expertise in these matters. Off the cuff advice in this situation could be dangerous and could prove disasterous.
Call if you want a consultation about this. The lawbooks are full with cases of tenants who got shafted by not understanding the intricacies of landlord/tenant law.