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Whether renting office spaces or apartments, property owners have an obligation to ensure the safety of their properties for tenants’ use. While they may easily identify and resolve some potential hazards, such as a stairwell in ill-repair, property owners may not spot other dangers as effectively. To protect themselves and their tenants, it may help for property owners to understand the danger posed by asbestos and their liability for any adverse health effects exposure to asbestos in their buildings may cause. What is asbestos? According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos refers to a group of minerals occurring naturally as bundles of fibers. These minerals have been put to use commercially and industrially in the manufacture of construction, shipbuilding and automotive materials. For instance, prior to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ban on the new use of asbestos, these fibers were used in cement, roofing, floor tiles, paints and insulation products. What are the health effects of asbestos exposure? When inhaled, asbestos fibers may accumulate and cause inflammation and scarring in the lungs. People may experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, a persistent cough, difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite, and swelling of the face or neck, among other effects. Additionally, asbestos exposure may contribute to the development of certain types of cancer, as well as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Often, people may not experience symptoms or notice the effects of asbestos for years after their exposure. Can renters take legal action? According to FindLaw.com, people who believe they were exposed to asbestos in their homes and as a result became ill may have grounds for legal action. In order to recover compensation for asbestos exposure based on property owner negligence, people must show that the owner knew about and had a duty to disclose the presence of asbestos in the home but failed to do so. Further, they must prove that their illness was caused by asbestos exposure. Tenants in such cases may pursue compensation for the damages resulting from their illnesses, including pain and suffering, current medical expenses and the costs of future medical care, lost income and reduced earning capacity.

Whether renting office spaces or apartments, property owners have an obligation to ensure the safety of their properties for tenants’ use. While they may easily identify and resolve some potential hazards, such as a stairwell in ill-repair, property owners may not spot other dangers as effectively. To protect themselves and their tenants, it may help for property owners to understand the danger posed by asbestos and their liability for any adverse health effects exposure to asbestos in their buildings may cause. What is asbestos? According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos refers to a group of minerals occurring naturally as bundles of fibers. These minerals have been put to use commercially and industrially in the manufacture of construction, shipbuilding and automotive materials. For instance, prior to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ban on the new use of asbestos, these fibers were used in cement, roofing, floor tiles, paints and insulation products. What are the health effects of asbestos exposure? When inhaled, asbestos fibers may accumulate and cause inflammation and scarring in the lungs. People may experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, a persistent cough, difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite, and swelling of the face or neck, among other effects. Additionally, asbestos exposure may contribute to the development of certain types of cancer, as well as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Often, people may not experience symptoms or notice the effects of asbestos for years after their exposure. Can renters take legal action? According to FindLaw.com, people who believe they were exposed to asbestos in their homes and as a result became ill may have grounds for legal action. In order to recover compensation for asbestos exposure based on property owner negligence, people must show that the owner knew about and had a duty to disclose the presence of asbestos in the home but failed to do so. Further, they must prove that their illness was caused by asbestos exposure. Tenants in such cases may pursue compensation for the damages resulting from their illnesses, including pain and suffering, current medical expenses and the costs of future medical care, lost income and reduced earning capacity.

When you own commercial apartment or home rentals, you are responsible for following state, local and federal laws for tenant screening. Failure to do so can result in an expensive lawsuit. These are the key regulations for fair tenant screening in Los Angeles. Discriminatory questions In a rental application, you may ask a tenant to provide: His or her monthly income Employment information Financial information to prove he or she can pay the monthly rent The number of family members who will live in the unit Federal law prohibits landlords from asking questions about: Race, ethnicity or religion Gender or sexual orientation Ancestry or national origin Marital or familial status Source of monthly income Disability or health status Age of individuals who will live in the household Citizenship or immigration status Deciding not to rent to a tenant based on any of these factors constitutes discrimination. Application fees California law limits landlords to a set amount per adult for a tenant application fee. The state updates the maximum fee to adjust for cost of living each year. If two adults want to rent a unit, you can charge twice the limit on the application fee to cover the cost of credit and background checks for both. If you decide not to rent to potential tenants based on their credit, you must give them a copy of the report you used. Landlords must provide a receipt for the cost of credit and background checks plus reasonable time spent to obtain these items. Required application elements If you plan to perform background checks on potential tenants, you must get explicit permission to do so in writing. Ask this question as part of the rental application and require the applicant to sign that section. Using a tenant screening application that does not comply with state law can result in federal fines and potential discrimination lawsuits. A legal review can ensure that your screening process complies with Los Angeles and California law.

When you own commercial apartment or home rentals, you are responsible for following state, local and federal laws for tenant screening. Failure to do so can result in an expensive lawsuit. These are the key regulations for fair tenant screening in Los Angeles. Discriminatory questions In a rental application, you may ask a tenant to provide: His or her monthly income Employment information Financial information to prove he or she can pay the monthly rent The number of family members who will live in the unit Federal law prohibits landlords from asking questions about: Race, ethnicity or religion Gender or sexual orientation Ancestry or national origin Marital or familial status Source of monthly income Disability or health status Age of individuals who will live in the household Citizenship or immigration status Deciding not to rent to a tenant based on any of these factors constitutes discrimination. Application fees California law limits landlords to a set amount per adult for a tenant application fee. The state updates the maximum fee to adjust for cost of living each year. If two adults want to rent a unit, you can charge twice the limit on the application fee to cover the cost of credit and background checks for both. If you decide not to rent to potential tenants based on their credit, you must give them a copy of the report you used. Landlords must provide a receipt for the cost of credit and background checks plus reasonable time spent to obtain these items. Required application elements If you plan to perform background checks on potential tenants, you must get explicit permission to do so in writing. Ask this question as part of the rental application and require the applicant to sign that section. Using a tenant screening application that does not comply with state law can result in federal fines and potential discrimination lawsuits. A legal review can ensure that your screening process complies with Los Angeles and California law.

In California, tenants and landlords across the board must have a working relationship. It is important for both parties to coexist in peace. Unfortunately, as humans, disputes are an inevitable part of life. But because you have a dispute with a tenant, that does not mean you must take it to court right away. Today we will look at some alternative dispute resolution methods. You may find one of them useful in solving your own disputes. Deciding if you can avoid litigation It is important to note first that some situations do need litigation. Sometimes an argument becomes too vitriolic. Sometimes a tenant refuses to budge or even becomes aggressive. In situations where this happens, you may have no choice but to take them to court. Preparing for this possibility can help. Utilizing mediation tactics In other cases, you can settle matters through communication. Sometimes but rarely, parties in conflict are able to come together and talk things out on their own. If that fails, it does not mean you are out of options. You can bring on a third party mediator to help. Mediators are not judges and do not have the binding power of a court. But they can help parties reach agreeable conclusions without judge involvement. They facilitate safe and healthy discussion and help defuse tense situations. If you want to read more about disputes between landlords and tenants, visit our linked webpage. It discusses landlord-tenant disputes. This includes how these disputes happen and what you can do to combat them. You can use knowledge learned to prevent other disputes from happening in the future.

In California, tenants and landlords across the board must have a working relationship. It is important for both parties to coexist in peace. Unfortunately, as humans, disputes are an inevitable part of life. But because you have a dispute with a tenant, that does not mean you must take it to court right away. Today we will look at some alternative dispute resolution methods. You may find one of them useful in solving your own disputes. Deciding if you can avoid litigation It is important to note first that some situations do need litigation. Sometimes an argument becomes too vitriolic. Sometimes a tenant refuses to budge or even becomes aggressive. In situations where this happens, you may have no choice but to take them to court. Preparing for this possibility can help. Utilizing mediation tactics In other cases, you can settle matters through communication. Sometimes but rarely, parties in conflict are able to come together and talk things out on their own. If that fails, it does not mean you are out of options. You can bring on a third party mediator to help. Mediators are not judges and do not have the binding power of a court. But they can help parties reach agreeable conclusions without judge involvement. They facilitate safe and healthy discussion and help defuse tense situations. If you want to read more about disputes between landlords and tenants, visit our linked webpage. It discusses landlord-tenant disputes. This includes how these disputes happen and what you can do to combat them. You can use knowledge learned to prevent other disputes from happening in the future.

A new law took effect in California on January first, which affects how much landlords are able to increase rent. The Housing Rights Center held a meeting recently to discuss the new housing and rent policies. While the meeting focused largely on the new tenant protections, there are important takeaways for landlords to be aware of. How the new legislation affects landlords According to The Signal, if you fall under AB 1482 you cannot raise rental prices more than 5% plus the inflation rate for the year. Since the current inflation rate is 3.3%, rental prices cannot increase by more than a total of 8.3% for the current year. In addition, you need to provide “just cause” to evict someone living in one of your properties if they have lived there for more than a year. If you happen to remodel your property, you will need to pay one month’s rent to cover your tenants’ relocation costs. This new law will continue throughout 2030 but does not apply to buildings built in the last 15 years or certain properties that are not owned by corporations, LLCs with at least one corporate member, or real estate investment trusts. What landlords should expect from their tenants The Housing Rights Center also called attention to important tenant responsibilities to take reasonable care of the unit they occupy. Using plumbing, gas, and electrical appliances correctly Keeping the dwelling clean Disposing of waste properly Leaving the structure intact Notifying the landlord of broken or ineffective locks or security devices For landlords who have questions regarding how these new laws affect them, it may be a good idea to contact an experienced real estate attorney.

A new law took effect in California on January first, which affects how much landlords are able to increase rent. The Housing Rights Center held a meeting recently to discuss the new housing and rent policies. While the meeting focused largely on the new tenant protections, there are important takeaways for landlords to be aware of. How the new legislation affects landlords According to The Signal, if you fall under AB 1482 you cannot raise rental prices more than 5% plus the inflation rate for the year. Since the current inflation rate is 3.3%, rental prices cannot increase by more than a total of 8.3% for the current year. In addition, you need to provide “just cause” to evict someone living in one of your properties if they have lived there for more than a year. If you happen to remodel your property, you will need to pay one month’s rent to cover your tenants’ relocation costs. This new law will continue throughout 2030 but does not apply to buildings built in the last 15 years or certain properties that are not owned by corporations, LLCs with at least one corporate member, or real estate investment trusts. What landlords should expect from their tenants The Housing Rights Center also called attention to important tenant responsibilities to take reasonable care of the unit they occupy. Using plumbing, gas, and electrical appliances correctly Keeping the dwelling clean Disposing of waste properly Leaving the structure intact Notifying the landlord of broken or ineffective locks or security devices For landlords who have questions regarding how these new laws affect them, it may be a good idea to contact an experienced real estate attorney.

If the owner of a property adjacent to yours builds a structure that intrudes on your land, or over it, this is an encroachment. It can be very frustrating to have another party encroach on your property, especially if you make money from the commercial use of it. Fortunately, according to FindLaw, there are many different possible remedies for encroachment. One option is to file a lawsuit against the other owner stating that he or she is making improper use of land that belongs to you. If you are successful in proving your case, the court can order the other owner to remove the structure. However, there are also disadvantages to this course of action. The court may decide in favor of the other owner and grant him or her the right to use the property on a limited basis. This is more likely if the misuse has been going on for some time. Even if the court does eventually decide in your favor, the process can be very lengthy. For these reasons, many property owners choose to litigate encroachment only as a last resort. Other options include selling the disputed land to the other property owner. Before taking this step, you should ensure the accuracy of all pertinent land records. You may also be able to negotiate an alternative arrangement with the other owner outside of court, saving you both on legal fees. If the encroachment is less bothersome to you than the prospect of a legal dispute with the adjacent property owner, another option is to do nothing. However, in this case, you have the responsibility to disclose the encroachment to potential buyers if you ever decide to sell.

If the owner of a property adjacent to yours builds a structure that intrudes on your land, or over it, this is an encroachment. It can be very frustrating to have another party encroach on your property, especially if you make money from the commercial use of it. Fortunately, according to FindLaw, there are many different possible remedies for encroachment. One option is to file a lawsuit against the other owner stating that he or she is making improper use of land that belongs to you. If you are successful in proving your case, the court can order the other owner to remove the structure. However, there are also disadvantages to this course of action. The court may decide in favor of the other owner and grant him or her the right to use the property on a limited basis. This is more likely if the misuse has been going on for some time. Even if the court does eventually decide in your favor, the process can be very lengthy. For these reasons, many property owners choose to litigate encroachment only as a last resort. Other options include selling the disputed land to the other property owner. Before taking this step, you should ensure the accuracy of all pertinent land records. You may also be able to negotiate an alternative arrangement with the other owner outside of court, saving you both on legal fees. If the encroachment is less bothersome to you than the prospect of a legal dispute with the adjacent property owner, another option is to do nothing. However, in this case, you have the responsibility to disclose the encroachment to potential buyers if you ever decide to sell.

According to Housing Community Investment Department, nearly 60% of Los Angeles residents live in rentals. Leasing a property to a tenant comes with rules and regulations. As far as tenants have their rights, landlords have the right to evict them if they cannot adhere to the lease agreement. However, a landlord needs a good reason for terminating the lease. They must give the tenant a notice of 30 days to vacate. Here are some lease violations that call for a legal eviction. Contravening pet rules Some landlords have regulations regarding whether the tenant can bring in pets and which types of pets they may keep. Some tenants ignore the “no pet allowed” notice. If this happens, the landlord should send a lease violation timeline, which requires the tenant to remove the pet. If they do not comply, the landlord has the right to evict them. Decorations that cause damages The Standard Rental Agreement states that the tenant should not damage the house but leave it as they found it. It means the tenants are limited in the decorations to avoid unnecessary damages. If a tenant damages the house by adding unnecessary decors, the landlord has the right to issue an eviction notice. Extended or unapproved guests Some tenancy agreements do not allow tenants to bring in other occupants except for the ones listed in the contract. They should inform the house manager if they have a guest that wishes to transform into a permanent resident. Failure to do this is a lease agreement violation, and the landlord has the right to evict the tenant. A strong leaser agreement is a foundation of the landlord-tenant relationship. It is the wish of all landlords to have their tenants around until the lease period elapses.

According to Housing Community Investment Department, nearly 60% of Los Angeles residents live in rentals. Leasing a property to a tenant comes with rules and regulations. As far as tenants have their rights, landlords have the right to evict them if they cannot adhere to the lease agreement. However, a landlord needs a good reason for terminating the lease. They must give the tenant a notice of 30 days to vacate. Here are some lease violations that call for a legal eviction. Contravening pet rules Some landlords have regulations regarding whether the tenant can bring in pets and which types of pets they may keep. Some tenants ignore the “no pet allowed” notice. If this happens, the landlord should send a lease violation timeline, which requires the tenant to remove the pet. If they do not comply, the landlord has the right to evict them. Decorations that cause damages The Standard Rental Agreement states that the tenant should not damage the house but leave it as they found it. It means the tenants are limited in the decorations to avoid unnecessary damages. If a tenant damages the house by adding unnecessary decors, the landlord has the right to issue an eviction notice. Extended or unapproved guests Some tenancy agreements do not allow tenants to bring in other occupants except for the ones listed in the contract. They should inform the house manager if they have a guest that wishes to transform into a permanent resident. Failure to do this is a lease agreement violation, and the landlord has the right to evict the tenant. A strong leaser agreement is a foundation of the landlord-tenant relationship. It is the wish of all landlords to have their tenants around until the lease period elapses.