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AB 2747: California To Require Positive Credit Reporting for Timely Rent Payments
October 14th, 2024
Contributor: Justin A. Goodman
California now requires landlords to offer positive credit reporting to their tenants who make timely payments. AB 2747, sponsored by Assemblymember Matt Haney, is intended to help renters build credit, where their rent payments are commonly their la…
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Categories: Landlord/Tenant Issues
Zacks & Freedman PC’s Clients Prevail in Their Challenge to San Francisco’s Attempt to Interfere With State Unlawful Detainer Timelines
September 25th, 2024
Contributor: Emily L. Brough
In the California First District Court of Appeal case SFAA v. CCSF, Zacks & Freedman’s clients, and landlords throughout California, enjoyed a big win against San Francisco this month, in the City’s most recent attempt to stifle landlords…
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You Are a Landlord and Got Sued by Your Tenant – Now What?
September 5th, 2024
Contributor: Thomas J. O'Brien
You’re a California landlord. A good one. You own a nice building with good apartments. You provide housing for people who need it. You are attentive to your tenants. You make repairs when tenants notify you. You don’t raise the rent more than is…
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Categories: Landlord/Tenant Issues
Navigating the Implied Warranty of Habitability and Covenant of Quiet Enjoyment in San Francisco
August 12th, 2024
Contributor: Sierra McGinn Smith
In San Francisco, every lease and rental agreement includes an implied warranty of habitability and a covenant of quiet enjoyment. As a landlord or property owner, understanding these concepts is crucial to maintaining positive tenant relationships a…
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Categories: Landlord/Tenant Issues
“Mediation Magic”: Judge David A. Garcia (R) Shares His Approach to Conflict Resolution*
August 6th, 2024
Contributor: Justin A. Goodman
Our housing providers hone best practices and find ways to mediate conflict. Still, it takes a degree of luck to stay out of litigation these days—a prospect made more daunting where insurance carriers are receding from our industry. Conflicts are…
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The Landlord Who Could Neither Exit Nor Remain in the Rental Business: The Hobson’s Choice of the Recent Barrington Plaza Case
June 18th, 2024
Contributor: Scott A. Freedman
California’s Ellis Act was enacted in 1985 to enable landlords who find themselves in financially or otherwise unmanageable situations to exit the rental business. It came about as a response to a particular Santa Monica landlord’s desire to demo…
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She Came In Through The School Year Window – OMI Timing Constraints – Act Now!
April 8th, 2024
Contributor: Mark B. Chernev
The San Francisco Rent Ordinance allows certain owners the ability to recover tenant-occupied rental units for personal use, thereby terminating the tenancy of all occupants. However, there are significant limitations on how and when an owner can per…
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Categories: Landlord/Tenant Issues
Concord Rent and Eviction Control: Measures with Potential Ripple Effects
March 14th, 2024
Last month, the Concord City Council passed its “Residential Tenant Protection Program” a highly debated rent control and “just cause” eviction ordinance that allows for greater renter protections. The effects of the ordinance will be felt by…
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Categories: Landlord/Tenant Issues
"Justice for Renters Act" Seeks to Repeal Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act
February 19th, 2024
Contributor: Sierra McGinn Smith
Michael Weinstein, through his AIDS Healthcare Foundation, is leading the “Justice for Renters Act,” the most recent attempt to repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act. Costa-Hawkins is a state law that places strict limits on a city’s abil…
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Categories: Landlord/Tenant Issues
AB 1620 (2023) Opens the Door for Local Governments To Compel the Rental of “Accessible Floor” Units
January 12th, 2024
Contributor: Justin A. Goodman
An amendment to the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act will make significant changes to the reasonable accommodation, interactive process with respect to a tenant with a permanent physical disability who seeks to move into an equal or smaller unit. Cos…
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Categories: Landlord/Tenant Issues