Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Landlord lives with me --- Please Help

I rented a house from a lady who was relocating. She wouldn't be around except for occasional weekends. I signed a contract for a lower amount of rent to occupy 2 of the rooms (daugter and I) and the contract stated that I was to pay all utilities (which were to be kept under her name), yard maintenance, etc. Two months passed by and no relocation. Boxes were stacked up to the ceiling in my room. I had my own furniture outside getting weathered. I had no privacy. I was paying all the utilities! To top it off, she moved some of her boxes into my daughter's closet. I told her the utilities were getting tough to pay. She emailed me saying she would pitch in. That never happened. She stayed at the house 12-14 days of the month instead of occasional weekends. After 4 months of this I decided to move and while giving notice she came back with an offer hard to pass up. ''I'll rent you the whole house for what you are paying now instead of the full rent because I know you will take care of my place when I move''. After 9 months she finally began to relocate. Then, she retracted on the partial rent offer and went back up to full price. I got the heck out of there! Do I have any rights or legal actions in this matter?


Asked on 9/15/01, 2:18 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Ken Koenen Koenen & Tokunaga, P.C.

Re: Landlord lives with me --- Please Help

A lot will depend on the terms of the actual contract that you signed. If you were to have sole posession of the property, but the landlord remained, you may be entitled to a refund of part of the rent and utility costs.

Fax a copy of your agreement to me, and I will review it. 925-397-3044

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Answered on 10/30/01, 11:21 am


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