Every three years, California cities update their building and fire safety codes. The California Building Standards Commission adopted most of the rules from the International Fire Code. The rules included…
Industry Insights
Industry Insights
Every three years, California cities update their building and fire safety codes. The California Building Standards Commission adopted most of the rules from the International Fire Code. The rules included…
Industry Insights
A rental housing owner may set reasonable standards by which a tenant’s guest will be considered a resident. The length of time a guest may stay with a tenant is…
California law requires residential rental property owners to deliver and maintain their rental units in a habitable condition, this legal principle is called the warranty of habitability. Though originally created…
Industry Insights
It is unlawful for any person to place “universal wastes” in the trash. Universal wastes include common batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, mercury thermostats, electronic devices (TVs, Cell phones, VCRs). These…
Industry Insights
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a rule that imposes additional duties on rental property owners and management companies to help combat identity theft. Entitled “Identity Theft Red Flags…
Industry Insights
California law extends its civil rights law to individuals regardless of citizenship, primary language, or immigration status. These protections were enhanced, effective January 2018 by AB 291 (Chiu). This Industry…
Industry Insights
Numerous communities throughout California have either adopted or are considering residential rental housing inspection ordinances. The typical ordinance imposes a fee on property owners, followed by an inspection of the…
Industry Insights
Most rental housing owners and managers are familiar with the concept of rent control and have a basic understanding of the ways in which it impacts their business. Less well…
Industry Insights
The amount of late fees charged by owners and managers of residential rental property is a matter of some controversy. Unlike some other states, California does not set the amount…
Industry Insights
While there are some exceptions, just about everyone who does work on pre-1978 rental housing where lead paint is presumed to be present must provide specific disclosure pamphlets to tenants…
An unlawful detainer action is more than filing paperwork and getting a rubber stamp from the court system. Once a termination notice expires and a resident does not move out, the matter becomes a civil lawsuit governed by strict procedural rules, evidentiary requirements, and court deadlines. While unlawful detainers are intended to move more quickly…
California’s fair housing laws are among the most comprehensive in the country, and they apply to nearly all residential rental properties in the state. Because California law goes beyond federal requirements — and continues to evolve — understanding state-specific rules is critical to avoiding legal risk. These laws are not always straightforward, and even well-intentioned…
You are invited to attend an informational briefing on the Redwood City Rent Control Ballot Initiative, a measure filed by rent control proponents in April 2026. The California Apartment Association (CAA) will provide an overview of the initiative’s key provisions and how it, if passed, would change Redwood City’s current housing regulations. The session will…