Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Salinas

Find the right Tenant attorney in Salinas, CA

Tenant Law in California

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

There are various rights and responsibilities that landlords and tenants have. It's important that each party is aware of their rights, and the rights of the other party. By knowing and respecting these rights, the risk of conflict should be reduced dramatically.

Landlord's Rights in Salinas, CA

The most important and most discernible right that a landlord has is the right to timely payment of rent from the tenant. This, of course, means that the tenant has a duty to pay rent.

Landlords also have a right to be paid for damage to the building that a tenant causes, either intentionally or negligently. All 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 Salinas, CA

Much like landlords have a right to get paid for the service they provide, tenants have a right to get what they pay for: a suitable place to reside. In Salinas, California, all residential rental agreements carry an "implied warranty of habitability." This means that a landlord implicitly guarantees that any residence he or she rents will be fit for human habitation. In general, an unit will be automatically deemed uninhabitable if it lacks running water, electricity, heat, and acceptable protection from the elements. There are various more factors that can be considered, as well, but those are some of the basics.

Moreover, tenants are entitled to common areas that are reasonable safe and sanitary. The common areas of an apartment building would contain lobbies, laundry rooms, stairwells, hallways, and fire escapes (essentially, any part of the building which all of the tenants can access). In Salinas, California, these areas must be kept reasonably clean and safe.

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.

Lastly, tenants in most states have a right to be free from unfair eviction. Usually, lease agreements last for a set period of time, and both parties are bound by that contract. Landlords cannot arbitrarily evict clients while the lease is still in effect.

Can a Salinas, California Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

Landlords and tenants almost always prefer to prevent conflict. In a perfect world, tenants would pay rent on time, and landlords would always provide the services that they're being paid for. As we know, the world isn't perfect. When cases demonstrate the world's imperfection, a Salinas, California real estate attorney can help, whether you're a landlord or a tenant.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Salinas

Salinas, California is a city in Monterey County. It is the county seat of that county, as well as its largest city. It has a population of over 150,000 people.

Salinas has a long and interesting history. It was first settled by humans as early as the year 200 AD, nearly 2,000 years ago. In the 1700s, Spanish Catholic missionaries settled the area, and Salinas soon became known as a major agricultural center, owing to its fertile soil and abundance of open space. When California became part of the United States in the mid-1800s, settlement by Americans from other parts of the country skyrocketed.

Modernly, the economy of Salinas, California is heavily based on agriculture. Several large agribusiness firms are major employers in Salinas, CA. Unlike many American cities its size, the workforce of Salinas is still largely blue collar, with most of those workers employed in agriculture. Because the agriculture business is sometimes known for strained relations between workers and management, a large number of labor and employment lawyers from Salinas, CA have set up shop, representing both employers and employees. There are also many lawyers in Salinas who practice other areas of law. Many lawyers are drawn to Salinas, CA because of its quiet atmosphere and pleasant climate.

Needless to say, whatever legal issue you may be facing, there's probably a Salinas, California lawyer who can help you with it.

Clients Rate LegalMatch Attorneys
(click to read reviews)

Nicholas M.
Nicholas M.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Golden, CO

Carl M.
Carl M.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Seattle, WA

David A.
David A.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Walnut Creek, CA