To most eyes, the property seems like a lavish, eight-acre estate in the peaceful hills of central Los Angeles. However, those who know better understand that the pristine convent is at the center of a prolonged real estate dispute involving the most unlikely opponents: the Sisters of the Most Holy and Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin […]

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With the advancements in educational technology, it is common for colleges and universities to offer courses online rather than having students live on campus or commute to classes. Because of this, many institutions save money by minimizing their physical presence. This is the situation in which California’s Claremont School of Theology finds itself. However, the […]

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Many people in Los Angeles dream of living in a gated community where privacy and security suggest an almost idyllic quality of life. However, purchasing a home in a private community — such as a condominium, in a retirement neighborhood or a vacation timeshare — often includes membership in a Home Owners’ Association or similar […]

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To every property owner, whether it is an apartment building, a warehouse or commercial office park, getting a return on one’s investment is an essential part of doing business. This means that monthly rent must be collected from tenants. Invariably tenants may not be able honor their contractual obligation. In these instances, a landlord may […]

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In the first part of this post, we discussed a key appellate ruling on the scope of California’s Right to Repair Act, also referred to as SB 800. In Liberty Mutual Ins. Co. v. Brookfield Crystal Cove LLC, the California Court of Appeals held that SB 800 is not an exclusive remedy for homeowners when […]

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Residential construction defect disputes in California can be costly, complicated and confusing. Many of the complications involve the Right to Repair Act, also known as SB 800, which the Legislature passed in 2002. It took effect in 2003. In this two-part post, we will discuss two court decisions that have interpreted key aspects of SB […]

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Even in an auto-dependent culture, sidewalks are important infrastructure. From business customers to dog walkers, all sorts of people benefit from well-placed pavement that helps knit a city together. The question of who should pay to maintain sidewalks, however, has become a contentious one in Los Angeles. Who should pay to do that – property […]

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A partition action is a legal process used when two or more individuals co-own real estate and can no longer agree on how to manage or divide their shared property. In California, this approach to seeking legal remedy to such a dispute commonly arises when family members who inherit property together, unmarried couples who buy […]

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Adverse possession traces its roots back to ancient legal systems where a medieval farmer tills the soil, plants crops and builds a modest cottage on a piece of land. Over time, the farmer’s descendants continue to work the land, generation after generation. Eventually, the land becomes synonymous with their identity. It’s not just a plot; […]

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The behavior of a neighbor can directly influence someone’s use of a property. For example, if a neighbor pollutes the soil or causes damage to a tree near a property line, those actions could negatively impact the resale value of adjacent properties. There are laws in California that allow a property owner to take legal […]

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