Who hasn’t been there? Embarking on the journey of renting an apartment or home for yourself or your family comes with sometimes unimaginable challenges. We also see it in our law firm: many clients come to us in extreme situations.
They seek help in situations that seem stuck and that, by contract, can only be resolved at the end of the term. Often, they’re surprised to learn that they may have been enduring a situation longer than necessary. California has laws to protect tenants precisely for these reasons—so they aren’t forced to live in inhumane conditions just because a contract binds them.
Some of the legal grounds that can be used to terminate a lease include:
Violence from a Neighbor or Landlord
No one should have to endure threats or violence from a neighbor. In such a situation, an attorney can help you end the lease immediately.
The Landlord Ignores Complaints
Let’s say there’s a severe mold problem in the rental property. After presenting evidence and demanding the landlord address the issue, months pass with no solution. Once the appropriate deadlines have passed, depending on the type of problem, this can be grounds to terminate the lease.
Other situations that may arise include:
Suppose no attorney reviewed the lease agreement you signed. In that case, there might be clauses that violate public policy, or you may have been made to sign without knowing the property’s actual condition before accepting it.
If you’re in a similar situation or need a professional to assess your case to end a lease early, don’t hesitate to contact the team at Friedman & Chapman. Experts in Habitability Laws and Tenant Rights will know how to protect you and will find a legal strategy to resolve your situation.
The important thing is not to try to resolve these situations alone. If the landlord ignores your complaints, they won’t act the same way when an attorney reaches out. You can be sure of that.