Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Re: Tenant has Front Door Damaged

You should confront the back tenant, and let him know that his guest has caused the damage, and that he is responsible. If it can be established that his guest caused the damage, you could withhold from the security deposit.

You have another potential problem, however. Since you have tenants who are not getting along, to the point that one of them or their guest) acted violently and you are aware of it, you, as a landowner, have a higher level of duty of care. You should consider determining the real trouble maker, and giving them notice to move. You could be liable if one tenant is injured by another tenant, or his guest.

Re: Tenant has Front Door Damaged

I would add to the previous advice that, one way or another, you need to make sure the repair gets done promptly. Even if a written lease assigned or granted the right or responsibility to make repairs to the tenant, you would have ultimate responsibility for making repairs necessary for safety and security. Don't allow an unlockable exterior door situation to exist.