Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Re: Landlord breaks lease agreement

Well, this is a breach of contract. You could sue (expensive) and get money damages (probably very little - how do you place a monetary value on landscaping?). Courts sometimes award a remedy of specific performance, or issue injunctions ordering a party to do something, but this would be extremely unlikely under your circumstances.

So, I think your best bet is negotiation for a quick landscaping job or a vokuntary adjustment in your rent. Next best bet would be a small claims suit for money damages; the judge would probably order a small refund or abatement of your rent based upon what you could convince the court was the monetary value of the landscaping to you as a portion of the total value you expected to receive for your rent money.