More than half of the residents of Beverly Hills are renters. Whether you’re a tenant or a landlord in this thriving city, it’s important to learn about your respective rights and obligations.
Tenant Rights
- Tenants have the right to a safe, clean, and habitable living space
A basic tenant right is having a habitable living space suitable for residential use. As a tenant, your landlord should abide by California’s implied warranty of habitability, which includes unbroken doors and windows, electrical lighting with proper wiring, waterproofed exterior walls, and heating facilities in working order.
- Tenants have the right to withhold rent
If the unit is unlivable due to a serious issue or hazard, the tenant can refuse to pay rent until the necessary repairs are made. However, before deciding to withhold rent, as a good tenant, it’s always best to talk to the landlord first and give them enough time to fix the problem.
- Tenants have the right to receive notice before the landlord enters the unit
Landlords must respect their tenant’s right to privacy. If a landlord plans to enter your unit, they must give you notice 24 hours beforehand. Landlords may need to do repair work on your unit or show potential buyers around.
Issuing notice means landlords are only allowed to enter your apartment during normal business hours, which is typically between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Tenants have the right to a security deposit refund
Under California’s security deposit laws, the landlord has 21 days to return the tenant’s security deposit if the tenancy is terminated. Should the landlord fail to return the full amount, they must remit what remains of the deposit to the tenant, along with a written letter and an itemized list of deductions.
Landlord Rights
- Landlords have the right to collect rent
As a landlord, you have the right to collect rent in exchange for the use of the property. Any deposits or payments in relation to parking, pets, or amenities are included as well.
- Landlord have the right to collect damages caused by the tenant
While tenants aren’t responsible for normal wear and tear, they are accountable for the damage caused by their activities. Landlords can shoulder the repairs and charge the tenant later on.
- Landlords have the right to enter the unit in case of an emergency
In the event of an emergency, landlords don’t need to give notice before entering their tenant’s unit. An emergency that affects the health and safety of the tenant or the other residents are legitimate and legal reasons for the landlord to gain entry.
- Landlords have the right to terminate a tenancy with a written notice
Should landlords choose to evict a tenant with cause, they must provide a three-day written notice. Termination with cause includes failing to pay rent and violating the rental agreement, among others. For termination without cause, a 30 or 60-day written notice must be given.
Learn more about your rights as a tenant or get to know more about the qualities of a good landlord in Beverly Hills by getting in touch with top Beverly Hills luxury real estate expert Sasha Rahban today. You may reach me at 310.963.9680 or send me a message here.