JHK Law

Q: There's a leak in my apartment roof. Does my landlord have to repair it? A: Yes. If your property is damaged from a leak, take photos and keep a record of what was damaged. If your landlord refuses to repair the roof, contact an attorney right away.

Q: Is my landlord responsible for repairs to my apartment? A: Probably! (Unless you caused the damage or problem yourself.) Read your lease agreement to see what it says about repairs. If your landlord is disputing a major repair, contact an attorney for help.

Q: Can my landlord exclude my emotional support pet? A: Probably. Only certified service animals for disabled people MUST be allowed in housing.

Q: I have a rent controlled apartment and my landlord just raised my rent by a whole lot! Is this legal? A: Probably not. Get an itemized breakdown of the increase and contact an attorney if the increase is over 3% of your current monthly rent.

Remember to join our AMA on April 16th at 3pm!

Q: Can my landlord increase my rent if I'm not in a rent controlled apartment? A: Yes - BUT there are new California laws that place a cap on that increase in certain circumstances. It's complicated. Contact HCIDLA for the exact rates on your unit.

Is your apartment roof leaking from the recent rains? Take a photo and contact your landlord ASAP. Leaky roofs can damage the walls and breed dangerous mold.

Q: Do I need my landlord's permission to sublet? A: Almost always, yes. If you don't have permission to do something in your lease agreement, you probably don't have permission to do it.

Q: My sink is leaking. Should I withhold my rent to get my landlord to fix it? A: Probably not. Try to work it out. If your landlord won't fix it, send him your plumber's invoice. If the landlord still won't pay up, contact an attorney. Withholding rent usually gets you into legal trouble and it's not worth the hassle.

Know your rights. We're hosting an online AMA on April 19th at 3pm.