Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

What rights do I have as a renter

I am renting a room in a home. I was told, I�d have access to the entire house & not to have any parties, but if I wished to have guests, to inform the other roommates. Last week I informed the owner, I wished to have a few friends over for dinner. He said I could only have friends in my room; I haven�t spoken to him since then. This was, (in my opinion) unreasonable. Since then, I have not received any mail either. Only he has a key, & he promised, both the other roommate & myself a copy after moving in. I haven�t received mail for a week, & last night I requested a copy. He told me ''No key will be provided'' & that he�s the only one that will check the mail. I said he was being unreasonable and that I have the right to check my mail, that if he didn't give me one then I would just move out. He replied that I should put it in writing. I did not. Later, he left me a note stating he accepts my verbal notice to vacate & expects me out on 4-1-02! He has been in and out of court in his time; fraud & breach of contract, (I did a background check before moving in). I think he�s sneaky & I am very nervous. I can�t move in 2 wks, I shouldn�t be held to a statement made in haste & I need to check my mail.

-Scared and ignorant


Asked on 3/13/02, 2:54 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
E. Daniel Bors Jr. Attorney & Counselor At Law

Re: What rights do I have as a renter

Dear Inquirer:

Nothing herein shall create an attorney-client relationship, unless a written retainer agreement is executed by the attorney and client. This communication contains general information only. Nothing herein shall constitute an attorney-client communication nor legal advice. There likely are deadlines and time-limits associated with your case; you should contact an attorney of your choice for legal advice specific to your personal situation, at once.

If you haven't already done so, please visit my

web site at --

http://home.pacbell.net/edbjr/ OR

http://www.CaliforniaDivorceAttorney.com

The site contains quite a bit of general information about California Family Law, Tenants' Rights, and Juvenile Dependencies, and EDD hearings and appeals, as well as information about me (education, experience, et cetera) and my office (location, hours, fees, policies).

NOW, IN RESPONSE TO YOUR INQUIRY --

You do have rights!! Find a lawyer who will explain them to you in a no-cost or low-cost consultation. (I charge $95 for a 45 minute office conference.)

Or consult these excellent websites:

Attorney Ken Carlson at

http:/www.caltenantlaw.com

California Tenants' Guide at http://www.dca.ca.gov/legal/landlordbook

Thanks for sharing your interesting inquiry with

us on LawGuru, and good luck with your case.

Read more
Answered on 3/14/02, 2:11 pm


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