Q: A real estate agent reached out to me and I think I want to sell the condominium that I rent out, but I have a tenant living there. They are in a one-year lease that does not terminate until January 2022. Can I break the lease because I am selling the property? A: No,…
Q: My tenant has not been affected by COVID-19 and their failure to pay rent is not related to COVID-19. They gave me a Declaration of COVID-19 Related Financial Distress. Does my tenant have to prove that they are affected by COVID-19? A: No, currently there is no requirement for the tenant to prove they…
Q: Six months ago, I rented my two-bedroom apartment to a single woman with a one-year lease. She wants a roommate. Do I have to allow my tenant to have a roommate? A: It depends. Most leases include a clause that prohibits or authorizes tenants to have a roommate or add additional occupants. If you…
Q: My tenant paid his January rent with a personal check. Several days after I deposited the check, the bank notified me that the check was dishonored because there were insufficient funds. I no longer want to accept personal checks from this tenant. Can I demand payment of rent in cash? A: Yes, if your…
Q: I own an apartment building and I heard that some landlords use RUBS to bill their utilities to their tenants. What is RUBS and how does it work? A: RUBS stands for Ratio Utility Billing System which can be used to divide the utility expenses of a multifamily building that does not have separately…
Q: I am advertising my single-family residence for rent. I received an inquiry from an interested woman asking if I accept section 8 tenants. Can I refuse to rent to tenants that have section 8 vouchers? A: No, effective January 1, 2020, landlords with properties in the state of California cannot refuse to rent to…
Definitions Used in This Article: Assistance animal is a term used to describe both 1) a service animal and 2) a support animal also known as an emotional support animal. Service animal is defined by the American Disability Association (ADA) as “any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the…
Q: I own an apartment complex and have a strict “no pet” policy. One of my tenants verbally requested a reasonable accommodation to allow him to have a dog. What does “reasonable accommodation” mean and how should I respond to him? A: The term “reasonable accommodation,” as defined by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban…