Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Hayward

Find the right Tenant attorney in Hayward, CA

Tenant Law in California

The relationship between a landlord and tenant in Hayward, California can sometimes be a touchy one. Landlords and tenants are not always clear on their respective rights and responsibilities.

Tenants and landlords have several legal rights and responsibilities. In general, these rights don't conflict with one another, as long as both parties are clear about what they are, and act accordingly.

Landlord's Rights in Hayward, CA

Landlords are, of course, entitled to collect rent from their tenants. If a tenant fails to pay the agreed-upon rent, the landlord is normally able to evict the tenant without too much trouble, though the process can sometimes get fairly complicated.

Landlords also have a right to be compensated for damage to the building that a tenant causes, either intentionally or negligently. Any damage caused by a tenant, besides reasonable wear and tear, can be billed, and the landlord can deduct from the tenant's security deposit to pay for repairs.

Tenant's Rights in Hayward, CA

At the most basic level, tenants have a basic right to what they're paying for: a habitable living environment. Consequently, landlords in Hayward, California must ensure that the units they rent to tenants meet some basic standards for human habitation. These requirements vary from state to state, but are often fairly easy to meet. There are no legal criteria that rented units be pretty, particularly spacious, or luxurious. They simply have to be fit for human beings to live in them. To be considered "habitable," rented units must have water, electricity, some form of heating (if the local climate necessitates it), and adequate protection from the elements (proper insulation, no roof leaks, windows that close, etc.).

Tenants also have a right to ensure that the common areas of their apartment building are reasonably safe. Landlords are required to make sure that the common areas of their buildings meet Hayward, California's building codes, and that there are no conditions that create unnecessary safety hazards. They are required to make, at their own expense, the proper repairs.

Under the laws of California, and the United States, discrimination in housing on the basis of race, religion, or gender is strictly prohibited. Moreover, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, landlords must not discriminate against renters on the basis of any physical disability. They also have to permit the renter to make reasonable modifications to their apartment, to make it more accessible. Generally, landlords are only required to allow relatively minor and reversible modifications, and tenants cannot compel them to remodel the building, for example. Also, once the tenant leaves, the landlord can bill the tenant for the costs of restoring the apartment to its original condition.

And finally, most state laws prevent landlords from arbitrarily evicting tenants. If the lease agreement is for a set period of time, the landlord usually can't evict the tenant until the lease expires, without a good reason. Valid causes for eviction include unpaid rent, illegal activities on the property, damage to the building caused by the tenant, and excessive noise.

Can a Hayward, California Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, chances are that you want to avoid conflict. But if you do end up in a seemingly irresolvable conflict with the other party, a Hayward, California attorney can help you protect your rights.

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Life in Hayward

Hayward, California is a city in Alameda County, California, in the Eastern portion of the San Francisco Bay Area (the "East Bay"). It has a population of 145,000 people.

Human habitation of the area now known as Hayward, California dates back to at least 6,000 years ago, and probably longer, with various Native American tribes living in the area. In the 19th Century, the first people of European descent settled the area, when Mexican settlers relocated to the Bay Area, at a time when California was still part of Mexico.

Modernly, Hayward, California is home to California State University, East Bay, which is a large public university. This school is particularly known for its excellent programs in business, economics, and education. It also happens to be one of the largest employers in Hayward, and a driving force behind the local economy. Some of the university's graduates have gone on to law school, and are now respected Hayward, California attorneys.

Accordingly, if you need legal advice or information in Hayward, California, chances are good that you will be able to find a local Hayward attorney who can help you with whatever legal issue you might be facing.

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