Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Castro Valley

Find the right Tenant attorney in Castro Valley, CA

Tenant Law in California

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

Tenants and landlords have numerous 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 Castro Valley, 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.

Moreover, landlords can bill the tenant for any damage they cause to the unit, whether it was intentional or negligent. The costs of repairs for such damage can be deducted from a tenant's security deposit, but it should be noted that tenants aren't responsible for usual wear and tear, over which they have little control.

Tenant's Rights in Castro Valley, CA

Most essentially, tenants have a right to get what they're paying for: a dwelling fit for human habitation. To this end, landlords have to confirm that the units they rent meet Castro Valley, California's minimum standards for habitability. These requirements are typicallyy not difficult to meet. They include basic amenities such as running water, electricity, a working phone line, heating, and protection from the elements.

In addition to habitable living spaces, tenants also have a right to reasonably safe common areas. Common areas contain lobbies, hallways, and stairwells - essentially anything that everyone living in an apartment complex has access to. These common areas must fulfill the building standards of Castro Valley, California, and must not contain any unnecessary safety hazards.

Under federal and California law, tenants are also entitled to protection against discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, marital status, or gender. Such discrimination can lead to grave civil penalties against the landlord. Landlords additionally cannot discriminate against tenants based on physical disability, and have to make reasonable accommodations for physically disabled tenants. For instance, they have to allow disabled tenants to make minor physical alterations to the unit (at the tenant's expense) to make it more accessible. Now, they don't need to allow the tenants to have the building remodeled. We're just talking about things like installing handrails in the bathroom, and similar things. The landlord can, however, require tenants to restore the apartment to its original condition, at the tenant's expense, once the tenant leaves.

Tenants are also legally safeguarded from unfair eviction. Before a lease agreement expires, landlords cannot evict tenants unless they breach as significant term of the agreement by not paying rent, causing serious damage to the property, engaging in activities that are a nuisance to the other tenants, or engaging in illegal activity on the property, among other things.

Can a Castro Valley, California Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

Tenants and landlords always want to avoid getting into any serious disputes - these disputes interfere with the tenant's living arrangement, and the landlord's business. In short, they help nobody. While a good Castro Valley, California attorney can definately help his or her client prevail in such a dispute, they may be more essential for their ability to help prevent such disputes from escalating in the first place.

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Life in Castro Valley

Castro Valley, California is situated in Alameda County in the Bay Area. With its population of over 61,000, it is one of the largest unincorporated areas in the entire state. The economy of Castro Valley had its early foundations in chicken ranching, with several industry innovators in the city. Today Castro Valley is favored as a commuter town due to its proximity to metropolitan areas like San Francisco and San Jose.

Castro Valley Boulevard is the hub of economic and social activity in the city. The area contains many old-style boutique shops and diners, as well as modern establishments. Castro Valley is also well known for its florist shops, where patrons can purchase unique floral arrangements. Much of the city is comprised of hilly areas like Palomares Hills Park, which offers a breathtaking view of the city.

Popular attractions in Castro Valley, California include bowling at Castro Valley Bowl, miniature golfing at Golden Tee, and activities at the Castro Valley Community Center. Castro Valley hosts city events like the Fall Festival, the Classic Car Show, and a Rodeo Parade which has featured dancing horses. The Adobe Art Center also offers instructional courses and showcases art exhibits from local talent.

Lawyers in Castro Valley, California represent clients in many types of legal matters and issues. Many Castro Valley cases are filed at the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda located near the city. Many Castro Valley attorneys actively contribute to the community through local groups and civic organizations.

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