Q and A with Prop West

Q) One of my tenants is on a one year lease and just gave me a notice that he is moving. The problem is that he wants to move out before his lease is up. He said that his job is being transferred and legally I have to let him out of his lease. Is this true?

A) This is NOT true. Once a lease is signed it is a binding obligation for all parties. The only time an owner/landlord must let their tenants out of a leases is if the tenant is being deployed by the military and the tenant gives a 30 day notice.

Q and A with Prop West

Q) My tenant is complaining that the back yard is infested with gophers and that their holes are very dangerous. The rental agreement states that the tenant shall maintain all the landscaping. Am I legally responsible for removing the gophers?

A) Based on the clause in the rental agreement, the tenant is responsible at his own cost.

Q and A with Prop West: Rent Control

Q) I own a rent controlled building. Once a tenant moves out I renovate the unit and then rent it out for a significantly higher rent amount. One of my tenants is claiming that I am discriminating against him because I won't renovate his unit. He claims he will report me to the city. Is there anything I can do?

A) Yes, you can tell this tenant that he can move into one of your newly renovated units and pay the higher rent amount. If he does not take this option you do still have the obligation to keep his unit habitable.

Q and A with Prop West: Rent Control

Q) I pay for water at my rent controlled building in Los Angeles. The cost has gone up over the past couple of years. Can I pass on any of this cost to the tenants?

A) Unfortunately, since the property is under rent control you are subject to the annual allowable rent increases as set by the City of Los Angeles.

Q and A with Prop West

Q) I have an apartment building in Los Angeles and one of my tenants has an inoperable car in the parking area. It is very unsightly. Is there anything I can do?

A) According to the Los Angeles Municipal Ordinance an inoperable car may not be parked in an apartment complex for safety reasons. You can serve the tenant a "notice to perform or quite" and if the tenant does not remove the vehicle in three days you can start eviction.

Q and A with Prop West

Q) I have to fumigate my apartment building and the tenants will be out for two days. One of the tenants wants me to hire a security guard to watch the property and protect their belongings while they are out. Is this my responsibility?

A) It is not the responsibility of the landlord. Make sure that your are contracting a licenced and bonded pest control company and the suggest to the tenant that they remove all valuables; like cash and jewelry.

Q and A with Prop West

Q) Recently a handicapped person applied for one of my vacancies. My building is not equipped for handicapped individuals. If I rent to this person, will I have to make alterations to my building to accommodate them?

A) The law requires that you must make reasonable accommodations to persons with a disability but the law does not require that you pay for any alterations. It would be the responsibility of the tenant to pay for the costs.