Landlord tenant water disputes are becoming increasingly common in California, as rising utility costs and leak-related responsibilities raise legal and financial questions for housing providers. Widely regarded as one of the greatest minds in history, Italian artist, engineer, scientist, inventor, and anatomist Leonardo da Vinci said that “water is the driving force of all…
A few years back, I was called to repair a heating system. In order to get to the utility room, the homeowners took me down the basement stairs where we passed a water heater along the way. It was fortunate for her that I’m also a licensed plumber because I immediately recognized a safety issue…
When devastating fires tore through LA County on January 7th, they didn’t just destroy homes — they set the entire housing market on fire. Over 1,000 residents were suddenly left homeless, many of them from affluent neighborhoods like Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and Topanga. In a region already battling a severe housing shortage, this disaster didn’t…
I get two questions over and over again: One: “Do I set up a different LLC for each one of my properties or businesses?” Two: “Does a trust give you asset protection?” I will answer these questions in detail at the upcoming AOA Trade Show. As you are aware, LLCs are becoming very popular, and…
New California rental housing laws in 2025 are set to significantly impact tenants, landlords, and HOAs, with changes aimed at transparency, fairness, and accountability. Below are some [Assembly Bill] laws that came or will come into effect this year. Please familiarize yourself with these. AB 2801 – [Effective April 1 and July 1, 2025]…
A 1031 exchange allows real estate investors to defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting the proceeds from the sale of an investment property into a like-kind property. However, natural disasters and other federally-declared emergencies can disrupt the exchange process. Fortunately, the IRS provides relief under Revenue Procedure 2018-58, which can extend both the 45-day identification…
As an apartment owner, you know how important it is to keep your property running smoothly and your investment healthy. But with California’s rent control laws, especially AB 1482, it can be tricky to navigate the fine line between staying within the law and ensuring your rental income keeps pace with the market. Under AB…
Just days after his inauguration, President Donald Trump famously said, “With oil prices going down, I’ll demand that interest rates drop immediately.” And at a White House event following these comments, Trump said, “I think I know interest rates much better than they do, and I think I know it certainly much better than the…
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 16th for AOA’s “Million Dollar” Trade Show and Landlording Conference in Los Angeles. You will meet just about every contractor and vendor you will ever need … it’s called the “Million Dollar Event” of the year. Come and help us celebrate and who knows, you may even go home…
Landlords across California face a wide range of legal and practical challenges—here are real questions from property owners and expert answers that help clarify your rights and responsibilities by eviction attorney Dennis Block. Question One: I evicted a tenant and obtained a judgment for $9500. I have no idea where this tenant is currently…