Landlord Obligations in Rialto

California lawmakers offer tenants some of the most stringent protections in the country. The Tenant Protection Act obligates landlords to cap rent increases, requires them to show just cause to evict a tenant who has resided in the home or apartment for at least a year, and limits how much they can charge for security deposits.

Landlords are also expected to ensure the rental unit is habitable, which means safe and livable, for the duration of the tenancy. Whether you are a tenant or a landlord, you should understand landlord obligations in Rialto. At CD Law, our habitability attorneys can answer your questions and help you resolve tenancy-related problems.

What Habitability Standards Must a Landlord Follow?

According to California Civil Code § 1941.1, landlords are obligated to provide rental units that meet certain standards, including:

• A roof and exterior walls that do not leak
• Unbroken windows and doors
• Hot and cold running water
• A functioning heating system
• A functioning electrical system
• A clean common area free from trash and vermin for the duration of the tenancy
• Structural elements, such as floors, stairs, and handrails, in good repair

Landlords who do not fulfill these minimum requirements are violating the law. If the conditions of a rental unit cause someone injury, the landlord could face a civil lawsuit. Speak to our Rialto lawyers about your landlord’s responsibilities if they refuse to repair a danger you have reported.

Entry and Privacy

The law prevents Rialto landlords from having free access to tenants’ homes and generally obligates them to inform the tenant in advance when they need to enter. This applies in situations such as making a repair, conducting an inspection that the tenant agrees to in advance, or showing the property to prospective tenants.

In these cases, they must give at least 24 hours’ notice, and the entry must be conducted during business hours. In emergency situations, landlords can enter the property without prior notice.

Landlords Cannot Retaliate if a Tenant Complains

When tenants complain to their landlords, report code violations, or exercise their legal rights, they are protected from landlord retaliation for 180 days from the time of the complaint. Landlords cannot try to evict them without cause, reduce prior services, such as property maintenance, or raise the rent.

The law obligates Rialto landlords to refrain from retaliating if tenants complain by participating in tenant associations. It also prevents them from threatening to report tenants to immigration services.

Landlords Cannot Discriminate

The Federal Fair Housing Act obligates most landlords to rent to people without considering their national origin, race, color, sex, religious beliefs, family status, or disability.

The state’s Fair Employment and Housing Act builds on federal law by offering tenants protections for:

• Gender identity
• Marital status
• Source of income, such as using government assistance for housing vouchers
• Veteran status
• Genetic information

When a landlord breaches their responsibility not to discriminate, an experienced Rialto attorney can help you protect your rights.

Stabilizing Rent

Under the Tenant Protection Act, most landlords cannot raise rent more than 5 percent plus the rate of inflation or 10 percent each year, whichever amount is lower. Special perks, such as a move-in special deal, are not applied to the baseline rent when factoring an increase. The cap will expire in 2030, and there are some exceptions to applying it.

If your landlord fails to stabilize your rent, our Rialto attorneys could help you seek compensation.

Contact a Rialto Attorney To Learn More About Habitability Law and Landlord Obligations

Landlords have responsibilities concerning a tenant’s security deposit, following protocol for evictions, and giving notice when rent will increase. If you are a landlord or a tenant with questions about landlord obligations in Rialto and how they affect your situation, contact us now to schedule a free consultation. We are waiting to hear from you.