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Illegal Rental Unit Concerns
Summary
Verbal rental agreements are enforceable in california but can complicate disputes. Unpermitted units may violate local codes, affecting lease enforceability. Landlords generally cannot pass fines or construction costs to tenants without explicit agreement. Gather evidence like text messages and payment records. Consult a tenant attorney to address rent discrepancies, eviction defenses, and improper charges.Full Conversation
this is our lease for the house we rent. there are two units and we been paying $* every month since January but we believe that the back unit which is originally the garage and I think just the back part of the house closed off is illegal and now we have been going thru hardship and had problems with tenants who rented rooms in the front house and the last couple months haven't been able to come up with the full 6k now we received pay or quit papers that say our rent is * a month and that we are * past due is the contract even legal in california
In California, here's some general guidance regarding your situation:
- Illegal Units: If part of the property is an unpermitted or illegal unit (like a converted garage), the landlord may be in violation of local building codes. This could affect the enforceability of certain parts of your lease.
- Pay or Quit Notice: A valid lease will determine the rent amount and terms. If the notice states $*,* as the rent but you’ve been paying $*,*, it’s unclear why the amounts differ. You may want to review your lease carefully.
- Tenant Protections: California has strong tenant protections, especially for hardships. You might qualify for local rent assistance programs or defenses in eviction proceedings.
You should consult a local tenant attorney or housing agency for help specific to your area. Would you like help finding one?
- Illegal Units: If part of the property is an unpermitted or illegal unit (like a converted garage), the landlord may be in violation of local building codes. This could affect the enforceability of certain parts of your lease.
- Pay or Quit Notice: A valid lease will determine the rent amount and terms. If the notice states $*,* as the rent but you’ve been paying $*,*, it’s unclear why the amounts differ. You may want to review your lease carefully.
- Tenant Protections: California has strong tenant protections, especially for hardships. You might qualify for local rent assistance programs or defenses in eviction proceedings.
You should consult a local tenant attorney or housing agency for help specific to your area. Would you like help finding one?
it was only verbal
text messages from landlord everything we pay his reply states "just picked up $* from you for rent"
In California, verbal rental agreements are enforceable but can complicate disputes. Since you have text messages confirming payments, those can serve as evidence. The $*,* vs. $*,* discrepancy and the potential illegal unit are serious issues.
You should:
- Gather all communication and payment proof.
- Confirm if the back unit is legal through local building/zoning departments.
- Consult a tenant attorney for guidance on rent discrepancies and defenses to the pay-or-quit notice.
Would you like help connecting with a tenant attorney?
You should:
- Gather all communication and payment proof.
- Confirm if the back unit is legal through local building/zoning departments.
- Consult a tenant attorney for guidance on rent discrepancies and defenses to the pay-or-quit notice.
Would you like help connecting with a tenant attorney?
the back unit didn't have electricity for 7 months they had concrete cement laid out in the front yard then the city fined them cuz it wasn't permitted so they been trying to charge us half of all the costs to demolish the cement
Case Rating: *
Landlords generally cannot pass their fines or construction costs onto tenants unless explicitly agreed in a lease. Since your agreement was verbal, this charge is likely unenforceable. Document everything and consult a tenant attorney to challenge these demands. Would you like help finding a tenant lawyer?
Landlords generally cannot pass their fines or construction costs onto tenants unless explicitly agreed in a lease. Since your agreement was verbal, this charge is likely unenforceable. Document everything and consult a tenant attorney to challenge these demands. Would you like help finding a tenant lawyer?
never signed a 2nd lease agreement also the "adu" is unpermitted *%
Case Rating: *
The unpermitted unit and verbal agreement issues could give you strong defenses in an eviction case. The landlord's attempt to charge you for fines and unpermitted construction costs also seems improper. Would you like help connecting with a tenant attorney to protect your rights?
The unpermitted unit and verbal agreement issues could give you strong defenses in an eviction case. The landlord's attempt to charge you for fines and unpermitted construction costs also seems improper. Would you like help connecting with a tenant attorney to protect your rights?
we never got or sign an adu agreement
Case Rating: *
Without a written agreement for the ADU and with it being unpermitted, you may have strong arguments against certain charges and eviction attempts. You should gather all evidence, like text messages and payment records, and consult a tenant attorney. Would you like help connecting with one?
Without a written agreement for the ADU and with it being unpermitted, you may have strong arguments against certain charges and eviction attempts. You should gather all evidence, like text messages and payment records, and consult a tenant attorney. Would you like help connecting with one?
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