California Tenant Rights?
954957
30 days prior to your lease or rental agreement is over. If you don't pay, you'll get evicted. Just inform your landlord you're moving out unless they can lower your rent. \n\nThis only applies to when your lease or rental agreement is going to expire in 30 days. If you're in a middle of a lease, they cannot raise your rent. E-mail me if you have any questions.\n\nRegards
603374
I don't' have an answer but I do have a source for you to search it. Go here:\n\nhttp://www.dca.ca.gov/legal/landlordbook\n\nAll of the laws are there in regards to this. Scroll down on the page and an on-line handbook is available. Good luck.
487892
Since you call it an apartment he has become a tenant and you will have to follow legal eviction procedures to get him out.  Any of the self-help solutions others have suggested will just get you and your homeowners policy sued.  (Think what the rates will be if they have you listed as single family home and in fact you have an apartment and a tenant!)  Also I don't know your building codes but I will bet your apartment is illegal and not built with permits, because you said you have one hvac unit for both residences.  You opened a can of worms when you rented this out.  (For whatever the rent was supposed to be) and he will have access to legal aid in Los Angeles for sure.  Good luck be more careful in future to follow the law.
902457
The question is not 'what rights do you have?' its what claims can he make on you and how can these be honored? If the landlord is paid, then the landlord is out of the issue. Without a written contract between you and xbf, there is no course for a court to take. And frankly what court would want to deal with this issue. I  realize it important to you but its a fairly petty matter\nJust walk away
1182842
ask a laywer that works in California
208759
you should consult a California Lawyer and discuss with him/her what you should do
380011
Depends on the state.  You obivously have internet.  Look up your state's landlord tenant laws.
799355
It's strange you landlord did that. Typically, a rental lease agreement specifies the terms of maintenance. You should review the contract carefully. If it says the landord is responsible for any maintenance issues, you should not be liable. In California, it is a landlord's responsibility to keep an apartment habitable.
500881
Contact the housing authorities, or land lord tenant court....and good luck.
736714
Talk to your landlord.
1007977
I would have thought that the landlord would evict you before that... maybe CA is different. Pay the rent asap.
811281
Hi, Sandee,\n\nAs I read the answers, I kept wondering how all these people know what State you live in, if US, and how they can be sure their advise applies.\n\nYour family lives in which state?\n\nAlso, when you say lease that is usually different than a month to month and result in different answers.\n\nIn California, there is a standard notice called a 3 day pay or quit.  The expectation is not that you will move, but simply pay the rent or in your case the water bill.\n\nIn your case, it seems that you may not gone to leasing or rental office and simply asked them what they plan to do.    \n\nThat is the place to start.  Ask them what this is all about.\n\nIf it is in your lease that you will be paying water bills, they will point that out to you.  If that is the case, they will show you that you signature is on the page showing that you agreed to pay.\n\nI don't know in what states there is a "Housing Authority".  But they would tell you to talk with the agent or landlord first.  Then if needed you file a complaint.\n\nThe so called 3 day notice is the first step in the eviction process but it is not an eviction in and of itself.\n\nIn California, an eviction does take place before a judge.  You have the opportunity, with or without an attorney to be present.  \n\nI have always been there on the behalf of the landlord.  Sorry about that!!  The judges are always fair and willing to hear what you have to say.\n\nThe only persons who got really bad deals were drug-dealers, that isn't you, and people who didn't show up in court.\n\nBelieve me, if you are paying the rent as agreed and the landlord or the agent do not have it in writing that you agreed to pay the water bill, you will win in California just by showing up and telling that to the judge!\n\nGood Luck for you and your family!
760892
ask a realtor for help.  there are tons of rental specialists on this directory: http://www.realestateforsaleincalifornia.net
317043
In California, you can have an off-site manager for an apartment complex of any size.  But if the complex is 16 or more units, that person needs to have a Ca. Real Estate salesperson license.  If you feel that the 'neglect' of the complex is an issue, report it to the California Department of Real Estate (DRE)- go to www.dre.ca.gov\nYou can get the phone numbers to the area office for your county, and a bunch of other helpful stuff. \n(I have a degree in real estate and escrow- i should know!)\n\nYour landlord has a responsibility to you and all other tennants of the building to guarantee 'quiet enjoyment of dwelling spaces in possession of the tennant'... That's the law.
331421
State laws differ. Go online and check for your city or county department of housing. or google your state name and "tenants rights". I have tons of landlord problems so I have checked the CA tenants rights page a lot. I am sure you will find your state has many easy to understand guidelines. I state my problem in a registered letter  and/or email to my landlord and keep the receipts and copies. If you can show that you made efforts to inform the landlord of the problem and that the problem is important to your safety or enjoyment of the apartment it is usually\nfine, up to a certain amount. Your air conditioner would certainly qualify but, still, check the tenancy laws in your city, If you are a renter, you owe it to yourself to know a lot more about the laws.\nKnowledge is Power
881058
Talk to the CAB about the tenant rights. They will be able to give you the specifics, and they're free!
909003
Sounds legal to me.\n\nBut, check out a book, "Tenent's Rights" (or some such title) by Nolo Press at the booksore, library, or at www.nolo.com .  They have a California-specific version that should address this *exact* situation.