Landlord/Tenant

From Consumer Wiki

Revision as of 18:45, 27 July 2010

The following county and city consumer agencies provide various types of services for landlord/tenant disputes. Consumers in counties not served by a local agency may locate books regarding landlord/tenant issues at local bookstores and libraries. Landlord law books are also available at bookstores specializing in law books. In addition, Small Claims Court may also be a recourse for consumers.

[http://www.igs.berkeley.edu/library/calcodes.html

ALAMEDA COUNTY

Eden Council for Hope and Opportunity, Inc. (ECHO) 770 A Street
Hayward, CA 94541

(510) 581-9380 Hayward, CA
(510) 845-9030 Berkeley, CA
(925) 449-7340 Livermore, CA
(510) 836-4826 (RAP) Oakland, CA*
Renter must reside in Alameda and

 Contra Costa counties. 

Provides landlord/tenant counseling and mediation.

Offers assistance to renters who have

experienced temporary financial setback (repayment contract set up with landlord).</p>

Rental Assistance Program (RAP).

(510) 836-4826

(Renter must reside in the city of Oakland).

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board 2125 Milvia Street
Berkeley, CA 94704

Provides landlord/tenant counseling and mediation for Berkeley residents.

Provides information about rent control or general rental information for Berkeley residents.

Provides general information about landlord/tenant issues for any consumer.

Community Legal Aid Society of Alameda County Oakland Office 510 16th Street, Suite 300
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 451-9261
(510) 763-2169 (fax)
ALPINE COUNTY

Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau).

AMADOR COUNTY Legal Services of Northern California 190 Reamer Street
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 823-7560
(800) 660-6107

• Renter must reside in Amador,

Placer, Nevada, Calaveras, El Dorado,

Provides tenant consultation on any subject relative to a rental.

BUTTE COUNTY

Community Legal Information Center West 2nd and Cherry Street Chico, CA 95929

Provides landlord/tenant mediation.

Legal Services of Northern California Butte Regional Office 541 Normal Avenue
Chico, CA 95928
(530) 345-9491
(800) 345-9491 (outside Chico)

• Renter must reside in Butte,

 Glenn, Plumas, Tehama, and 

Assists tenants with unlawful detainer notices.

Assists with 5 day eviction notices.

CALAVERAS COUNTY

Legal Services of Northern California 190 Reamer Street
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 823-7560
(800) 660-6107

• Renter must reside in Amador,

Placer, Nevada, Calaveras, El Dorado,

Provides tenant consultation on any subject relative to a rental.

COLUSA COUNTY

Legal Services of Northern California Butte Regional Office Butte, Plumas, Glenn, Tehama, & Colusa Counties 541 Normal Avenue
Chico, CA 95927
(530) 345-9493
[jhttp://www.isnc.net/www.lsnc.net/]

Provides services to low-income consumers. <p>Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau).

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

Pacific Community Services, Inc. 329 Railroad Avenue
Pittsburg, CA 94565
(925) 439-1056
(925) 437-0831 (fax)

• Renter must reside in Contra Costa

and Solano Counties only [1]

(800) 914-6874 Fairfield, CA
(Solano County Residents only) (707) 427-2435

Provides information and assistance to consumers relative to: Evictions Deposit returns Habitability issues Getting repairs done Unlawful detainer actions Mediation of tenant/landlord disputes Legal counseling Pre-rental counseling

Shelter, Inc. 1070 Concord Avenue, Suite 200
Concord, CA 94520
(925) 686-1116

• Renter must reside in

Provides landlord/tenant counseling and mediation.

DEL NORTE COUNTY

Legal Services of Northern California Redwood Regional Office Mendocino, Lake, Del Norte & Humboldt Counties 123 Third Street
Eureka, CA 95502
(707) 445-0866
[2]
• Provides services to low-income consumers. Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau).

EL DORADO COUNTY

Legal Services of Northern California 190 Reamer Street
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 823-7560
(800) 660-6107

• Renter must reside in Amador,

Placer, Nevada, Calaveras, El Dorado, and Sierra Counties. • Provides tenant consultation on any subject relative to a rental.

FRESNO COUNTY

Central California Legal Services 1401 Fulton Street, Suite 700
Fresno, CA 93721
(559) 570-1200
(800) 675-8001
[http:www.centralcallegal.org/www.centralcallegal.org/]

	•	Assists tenants with unlawful detainer 

complaints when tenants are served an eviction notice. • Provides tenants with appropriate paperwork to dispute the issues through Small Claims Court Centro La Familia Advocacy 2014 Tulare Street Fresno, CA 93721
(559) 237-2961
• Provides landlord/tenant mediation.

GLENN COUNTY

Legal Services of Northern California Butte Regional Office Butte, Plumas, Glenn, Tehama, & Colusa Counties 541 Normal Avenue
Chico, CA 95927
(530) 345-9493
[3]
• Provides tenant consultation on any subject relative to a rental.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY

Redwood Legal 123 Third Street
Eureka, CA 95501
(707) 445-0866
• Provides landlord/tenant information. • Provides legal aid for low income individuals. IMPERIAL COUNTY Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau.)

INYO COUNTY

Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau).

KERN COUNTY

Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance and Seniors Law Center 615 California Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93304
(661) 325-5943

• Does not provide assistance to

 residents in the towns of Delano, 
 Shafter, Wasco & Los Hills. 	•	Tenants must be at a low - income level.

• Provides an eviction defense clinic for rent. • Provides information about mobile home park tenant's rights. • Provides information on tenant habitability issues. • Does not provide landlord/tenant mediation. • Provides Seniors Law Center. (Senior tenants do not have to be at low income level to get assistance; Seniors may reside anywhere in Kern County).

KINGS COUNTY

Central California Legal Services 1999 Tuolumne St., Ste. 700
Fresno, CA 93721
In Fresno: 559-570-1200
In Merced: 209-723-5466
In Visalia: 559-733-8770
[4]
Provides free legal assistance to low income families in the following counties: Fresno, Kings, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare, and Tuolumne. Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau).

LAKE COUNTY

Lake County Dispute Resolution Services P.O. Box 1173
Lake Port, CA 95453
(707) 263-1545
• Provides landlord/tenant mediation. Legal Services of Northern California Redwood Regional Office Mendocino, Lake, Del Norte & Humboldt Counties 123 Third Street
Eureka, CA 95502
(707) 445-0866
[5]
• Provides services to low-income consumers.

LASSEN COUNTY Legal Services of Northern California Shasta Regional Office Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou & Trinity Counties 1370 West Street
Redding, CA 9600
1 (530) 241-3565
[6]
• Provides services to low-income consumers. Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau).

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs 500 W. Temple St., Room B-96
Los Angeles, CA 90012-2722
General Telephone Numbers Inside LA County: (800) 593-8222
Outside the County: (213) 974-1452
[7]
3017 Tyler Avenue El Monte, CA 91731
(626) 575-5425
14340 Sylvan Street
Van Nuys, CA 91411
(818) 901-3829
(213) 974-1452 (24 hour information line)
(South Bay) 24340 South Narbonne Avenue
Lomita, CA 90717
(310) 325-1035
133 North Sanole Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90063
(323) 260-2893
23747 West Valencia Boulevard
Valencia, CA 91355
(213) 974-1452 Ext. #100
24 hour information line for landlord tenant information and other services Lancaster Public Library 601 Lancaster Boulevard
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 948-5029
The LA County Department of Consumer Affairs is the largest local consumer protection agency in the United States. The following is a list of our specialized programs. These programs focus department services in targeted areas to protect the diverse needs of consumers in Los Angeles County. • Renters, Landlords, Tenants • Automobiles, warranties • Purchases, Accurate Pricing, Refunds, Advertising • Contracts & Loans • Credit • Homes Identity Theft • Seniors • Cable Television • Telemarketing • Mediation Web site offers information entitled: • Foreclosure Rescue Scams • Saving your home • Foreclosure facts • Renters in a foreclosure • New lender laws • HOPE for homeowners program • Contact your Lender

Coalition for Economic Survival 514 Shatto Place
Los Angeles, CA 90020
(323) 656-4410
CES Tenants' Right Clinic (Wed @ 7pm and Sat @ 10am) Plummer Park Community Building 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard West Hollywood, CA 90046

Consumer Action Hotline 523 West 6th Street, Room 1105
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 624-8327
• Provides landlord/tenant mediation.

Loyola Law School Center for Conflict Resolution 919 South Albany Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 736-1145
(213) 382-5403 (fax)
• Provides landlord/tenant mediation. • Service provided in English, Spanish and Armenian. • Assist with Employment (terminations). • Offers Conciliation Services (resolve conflict by talking to the both parties separately often on the telephone)

Fair Housing Council of the San Fernando Valley 8134 Van Nuys Boulevard, Suite 206
Panorama City, CA 91402
(818) 373-1185
Includes residents in Palm Dale, Simi Valley, and Santa Clarita Valley. • Does not mediate landlord/tenant issues. • Can refer for discrimination only!.

South Central Los Angeles Fair Housing Foundation 4401 Crenshaw Boulevard, Suite 317
Los Angeles, CA 90043
(323) 295-3302
(323) 295-4660 (fax)
• Provides landlord/tenant counseling, mediation, and referrals.

City of Long Beach Fair Housing Foundation 3605 Long Beach Blvd., Suite 302 Long Beach, CA 90807 (562) 989-1206
(562) 989-1836 (fax)
(800) 446-3247 (Southern CA residents only)
• Provides landlord/tenant counseling, mediation, and referrals.

Housing Rights Center 1020 North Fair Oaks Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 791-0211
(213) 381-8555
• Provides landlord/tenant counseling, mediation, and referrals. Consumer Affairs Protection Unit and Fair Housing 1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 458-8336
(310) 458-8370 (Spanish speaking)

• Santa Monica residents only. • Provides landlord/tenant mediation for

residents of Santa Monica. Santa Monica Rent Control Board 1685 Main Street, Suite 202
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 458-8751
www.santa-monica.org/rentcontrol
• Provides landlord/tenant mediation for residents of Santa Monica. MADERA COUNTY Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau).

MARIN COUNTY

County of Marin Civil Mediation 130 North San Pedro Road, Suite 170
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 499-7454

• Provides civil, employment, domestic, and environmental mediation. • Provides landlord/tenant mediation. • Provides information and assistance in dealing with the following areas: Civil Mediation Employment Domestic mediation Environmental Evictions Unlawful detainer actions Deposit returns Habitability issues Mediation of tenant/landlord disputes Legal counseling Pre-rental counseling

MARIPOSA COUNTY

Central California Legal Services 1999 Tuolumne St., Ste. 700
Fresno, CA 93721
In Fresno: 559-570-1200
In Merced: 209-723-5466
In Visalia: 559-733-8770
[www.centralcallegal.org]/]

Provides free legal assistance to low income families in the following counties: Fresno, Kings, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare, and Tuolumne. Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau).

MENDOCINO COUNTY

Legal Services of Northern California Redwood Regional Office Mendocino, Lake, Del Norte & Humboldt Counties 123 Third Street
Eureka, CA 95502
(707) 445-0866
[8]
Provides services to low-income consumers Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau).

MERCED COUNTY

Central California Legal Services 1999 Tuolumne St., Ste. 700
Fresno, CA 93721
In Fresno: 559-570-1200
In Merced: 209-723-5466
In Visalia: 559-733-8770
[9]
Provides free legal assistance to low income families in the following counties: Fresno, Kings, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare, and Tuolumne. Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau).

MODOC COUNTY

Legal Services of Northern California Shasta Regional Office Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou & Trinity Counties
1370 West Street
Redding, CA 96001
(530) 241-3565
[10]
Provides services to low-income consumers Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau).

MONO COUNTY

Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau).

MONTEREY COUNTY

Conflict Resolution and Mediation Center of Monterey County 1900 Garden Road, Suite 110
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 649-6219
Calling from Salinas: (831) 424-4694
• Provides landlord/tenant mediation.

NAPA COUNTY

Fair Housing Napa Valley 601 Cabot Way
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 224-9720
[11]
• Fair housing and discrimination • Tenant/landlord mediation and conciliation

NEVADA COUNTY

Legal Services of Northern California 190 Reamer Street
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 823-7560
(800) 660-6107

• Renter must reside in Amador,

Placer, Nevada, Calaveras, El Dorado, and Sierra Counties. • Provides tenant consultation on any subject relative to a rental.

ORANGE COUNTY

County of Orange Fair Housing Council 201 South Broadway
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 569-0823
[12]
• Provides landlord/tenant counseling on all landlord/tenant issues.

PLACER COUNTY

Legal Services of Northern California 190 Reamer Street
Auburn, CA 95603
(530) 823-7560
(800) 660-6107

• Renter must reside in Amador,

Placer, Nevada, Calaveras, El Dorado, and Sierra Counties. • Provides tenant consultation on any subject relative to a rental.

PLUMAS COUNTY

Legal Services of Northern California Butte Regional Office Butte, Plumas, Glenn, Tehama, & Colusa Counties 541 Normal Avenue
Chico, CA 95927
(530) 345-9493
[13]
• Provides tenant consultation on any subject relative to a rental. Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau).

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc. 3933 Mission Inn Avenue
Riverside, CA 92501
(951) 682-6581
[14]
City of Corona 650 Main Street
Corona, CA
(951) 371-6518
City of Moreno Valley 23890 Alessandro Blvd., Ste. A1
Moreno Valley, CA. 92553
(951) 653-8314
East County/City of Palm Springs 655 N. Palm Canyon, Ste. A Palm Springs, CA
(760)864-1540
Coachella 53-990 Enterprise Way #4
Coachella, CA
(760) 398-8811
City of Norco - Satellite Office 3900 Acacia Avenue
Monday and Thursday 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
(951) 520-8411
• Provides landlord/tenant mediation. • Provides counseling on landlord/tenant law.

SACRAMENTO COUNTY

City and County of Sacramento Human Rights Fair Housing Commission 1112 I Street, Suite 250
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 444-0178
[15]
• Consumer may order landlord/tenant handbook (takes 4-6 weeks). Consumer may pick up free copy at this office. Services are for city and county residents. • Renters must reside in Sacramento County. Legal Services of Northern California 515 12th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 551-2150
• Provides landlord/tenant mediation. Sacramento Mediation Center 2131 Capitol Avenue, Suite 205
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 441-7979
• Mediates landlord/tenant disputes; does not provide legal advice or information about landlord/tenant law or tenants' rights; does not provide consumer with landlord/tenant handbook. City and County of Sacramento Human Rights Fair Housing Commission 1112 I Street, Suite 250
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 444-0178
• Consumer may order landlord/tenant handbook (takes 4-6 weeks). Consumer may pick up free copy at this office. Services are for city and county residents. • Renters must reside in Sacramento County. Legal Center for the Elderly and Disabled 2862 Arden Way, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 486-2110
Provides free legal services to seniors (60+) and low-income, permanently disabled clients of all ages who live in Sacramento, Placer or San Joaquin County

SAN BENITO COUNTY

Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau).

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

Inland Fair Housing & Mediation Board 1005 Begonia Avenue
Ontario, CA 91762
(909) 984-2254
(800) 321-0911 (Toll free for Counties listed below) San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles and Orange 560 North Arrowhead Avenue, Suite 7A
San Bernardino, CA 92401
(909) 888-3763
15465 Seneca Road
Victorville, CA 92392
(760) 243-2412
• Provides landlord/tenant mediation. • Default, foreclosure, and first time buyer education.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Heartland Human Relations and Fair Housing Association East County: Heartland Human Relations 1068 Broadway Suite 221
El Cajon, CA 92021
(619) 444-5700
[16]

North County: North County Lifeline (760) 726-4900, x321 or x226
[17]

South County: South Bay Community Services (619) 420-3620 x140
[18]

• Provides fair housing education, outreach, and referral activities to unincorporated communities of San Diego • Provides landlord/tenant counseling and mediation. • Provides individuals with a list of affordable rentals.

Neighborhood House Association 841 South 41st Street
San Diego, CA 92113
(619) 263-7761
[19]

• Tenant/Landlord Information & Counseling • Rental Placement Assistance

Tenant's Legal Center of San Diego 5252 Balboa Avenue, Suite 408
San Diego, CA 91911
(858) 571-7100
[20]

• Provides landlord/tenant mediation. San Diego Mediation Center 625 Broadway, Suite 1221
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 238-2400
(760) 494-4728
• Provides landlord/tenant mediation.

SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY

San Francisco Residential Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Board 25 Van Ness, Suite 320
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 252-4600 (recording)
(415) 252-4602 (counselors)
9 AM - NOON and 1 - 4 PM Monday through Friday (415) 252-4660 (fax back service)
[21]

• Provides landlord/tenant information, counseling and mediation San Francisco Tenants' Union 558 Capp Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 282-6622
(Call for hours of operation.)
[22]

• Provides drop-in counseling for nonmembers. • Provides phone counseling for members only. • Provides advice on tenants' rights.

Consumer Action Hot Line 717 Market Street, Suite 310
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 777-9635
[23]

• Provides landlord/tenant mediation. Asian Law Caucus 939 Market St., Suite 201
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 896-1701

• Counsels and assists tenants with rent disputes. • May make additional referrals. Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco 427 South Van Ness
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 703-8644
[24]

Renter must reside in city or county of San Francisco. • Does not mediate landlord/tenant disputes. Will provide referrals to mediation centers.

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

Pacific Community Services, Inc. 5250 Claremont Avenue
Stockton, CA
(800) 914-6874
[25]

Trained fair housing counselors are available to counsel both tenants and landlords on their rights and responsibilities under federal and state fair housing laws. California Rural Legal Assistance 242 North Sutter, Room 411
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 946-0605

• Informs low-income tenants of their rights by mailing them specific information to help resolve their issue.

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY

California Rural Legal Assistance 1160 Marsh Street, Suite 114
San Luis Obispo, CA
(805) 544-7994

• Provides landlord/tenant counseling for low-income tenants.

SAN MATEO COUNTY

Landlord and Tenant Information and Referral Collaborative of San Mateo County To request brochures write to: Landlord & Tenant Information & Referral Collaborative Community Information Program Peninsula Library System 262 Harbor Blvd, Building A Belmont, CA 94002 info@landlordtenantinfo.org
(Email Address) [26]

• Provides brochures by mail and on the website Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center 1660 S. Amphlett Blvd. #219
San Mateo, CA 94402
( 650) 513-0330
[27]

Free or very low cost mediation of landlord/tenant conflicts Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County 521 E. 5th Ave
San Mateo, CA 94402
800-381-8898
[28]

Legal services to low-income children, families and seniors Bay Area Legal Aid, San Mateo County Regional Office 2287 So. El Camino Rea
l San Mateo, CA 94403
650-358-0745
800-551-5554
[29]
Legal assistance services are available to very low-income clients

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

City of Santa Barbara Rental Housing Mediation Task Force 423 West Victoria Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101-1990 (805) 564-5420
www.santabarbaraca.gov/Resident/Home/RHMTF • Provides landlord/tenant informationand mediation. • The RHMTF provides its services to residents of the City of Santa Barbara, City of Goleta, and the unincorporated Areas of Santa Barbara County

Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County 301 E. Cañon Perdido
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 963-6754
301 S. Miller, Suite 116.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 922-9909
106 S. "C" Street, Ste. A
Lompoc, CA 93436
(805) 736-6582

No-cost civil legal services to low-income residents and seniors in Santa Barbara County

California Rural Legal Assistance 2050 South Broadway, Suite G
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805) 922-4563

• Provides landlord/tenant eviction. defense for low-income residents.

SANTA CLARA COUNTY

Project Sentinel Palo Alto (650) 856-4062
430 Sherman Avenue, Suite 308 Palo Alto, CA 94306

Mountain View (650) 960-0495
Sunnyvale (408) 720-9888
1055 Sunnyvale Saratoga Rd., Suite 3
Sunnyvale, CA 94087 Cupertino (408) 720-9888 Santa Clara (408) 720-9888 Campbell (408) 243-8565 Los Gatos (408) 402-0307 Morgan Hill (408) 842-7740 San Martin and other unincorporated Santa Clara county areas (408) 842-7740 Gilroy (408) 842-7740 Project Sentinel Gilroy Office 7415 Eigleberry St. Suite B Gilroy, CA 95020

Project Sentinel is a non-profit corporation. The agency's services include tenant and landlord counseling and mediation of landlord tenant disputes

Santa Clara District Attorney Consumer Protection Unit County Government Center 70 West Hedding Street San Jose, CA 95110-1705 (408) 792-2881 Renter must reside in Santa Clara County.

• Provide phone referrals for landlord/tenant mediation.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

County of Santa Cruz District Attorney Office Department of Consumer Affairs 701 Ocean Street, Room 200 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 454-2050 http://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/DAInternet/ Renter must reside in Santa Cruz County. Landlord-Tenant Advisor Desk Landlord/Tenant 24 hour Recorded Information…(831) 454-2128 County of Santa Cruz Conflict Resolution Center 783 Rio Del Mar Boulevard, Suite 65 Aptos, CA 95003 (831) 685-3403 • Provides landlord/tenant mediation.

SHASTA COUNTY

Legal Services of Northern California Shasta Regional Office Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou & Trinity Counties 1370 West Street Redding, CA 96001 (530) 241-3565 www.lsnc.net/ Provides landlord/tenant mediation. Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau).

SIERRA COUNTY

Legal Services of Northern California 190 Reamer Street Auburn, CA 95603 (530) 823-7560 (800) 660-6107

• Renter must reside in Amador,

Placer, Nevada, Calaveras, El Dorado, and Sierra Counties. • Provides tenant consultation on any subject relative to a rental.

SISKIYOU COUNTY

Legal Services of Northern California Shasta Regional Office Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou & Trinity Counties 1370 West Street Redding, CA 96001 (530) 241-3565 www.lsnc.net/ Provides services to low-income consumers Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau).

SOLANO COUNTY

Pacific Community Services, Inc. 329 Railroad Avenue Pittsburg, CA 94565 (925) 439-1056 (925) 439-0831 (fax) www.pcsi.org/ Renter must reside in Contra Costa and Solano Counties only. 934 Missouri Street Fairfield, CA 94533 (800) 914-6874 (Solano County residents only) (707) 427-2435 (out of Solano County) • Provides information and assistance in dealing with the following areas: Evictions Unlawful detainer actions Deposit returns Habitability issues Getting repairs done Mediation of tenant/landlord disputes Legal counseling Pre-rental counseling Benicia Housing Authority 28 Riverhill Drive Benicia, CA 94510 (707) 745-2071 Renter must reside in Fairfield, Vacaville, and Suisun City. • Provides landlord/tenant information.

SONOMA COUNTY

Fair Housing of Sonoma Country 1300 North Dutton Santa Rosa, CA 95401 (707) 579-5033 Provides information and referrals for landlords and tenants in the areas of housing discrimination and landlord-tenant relationships, law and practices. Legal Services of Northern California Solano County Office 1810 Capitol Street Vallejo, CA 94590 (707) 643-0054 www.lsnc.net/ Provides services to low-income consumers.

STANISLAUS COUNTY

California Rural Legal Assistance 801 15th Street, Suite B Modesto, CA 95354 (209) 577-3811 Provides landlord/tenant information. Project Sentinel - Modesto 1419 K Street Modesto, CA 95354 Phone: (209) 236-1577 Fax: (209) 236-1578 Email: modesto@housing.org Web Site: www.housing.org/modesto.htm

SUTTER COUNTY Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau). TEHAMA COUNTY

Legal Services of Northern California Butte Regional Office Butte, Plumas, Glenn, Tehama, & Colusa Counties 541 Normal Avenue Chico, CA 95927 (530) 345-9493 www.lsnc.net/ Provides services to low-income consumers. Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, Better Business Bureau).

TRINITY COUNTY

Legal Services of Northern California Shasta Regional Office Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou & Trinity Counties 1370 West Street Redding, CA 96001 (530) 241-3565 www.lsnc.net/ Provides services to low-income consumers. Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau).

TULARE COUNTY

Central California Legal Services 1999 Tuolumne St., Ste. 700 Fresno, CA 93721 In Fresno: 559-570-1200 In Merced: 209-723-5466 In Visalia: 559-733-8770 www.centralcallegal.org/ Provides free legal assistance to low income families in the following counties: Fresno, Kings, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare, and Tuolumne. Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau).

TUOLUMNE COUNTY

Central California Legal Services 1999 Tuolumne St., Ste. 700 Fresno, CA 93721 In Fresno: 559-570-1200 In Merced: 209-723-5466 In Visalia: 559-733-8770 www.centralcallegal.org/ Provides free legal assistance to low income families in the following counties: Fresno, Kings, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare, and Tuolumne. Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau).

VENTURA COUNTY

County of Ventura District Attorney Consumer Mediation Unit 800 South Victoria Avenue Ventura, CA 93009 (805) 654-2500 Consumer mediation: (805) 654-3110 Renter must reside in Ventura County.

• Provides landlord/tenant mediation. Commission on Human Concerns 621 Richmond Avenue Oxnard, CA 93030 (805) 436-4000 946 E. Thompson Blvd Ventura CA 93001 805-648-6088

• Provides landlord/tenant information. • Individuals must meet low income criteria. Housing Rights Center 520 S. Virgil Ave., Suite 400 Los Angeles, CA 90020 ( 800) 477-5977 www.hrc-la.org/ Telephone and in-person counseling to both tenants and landlords regarding their respective rights and responsibilities under California law and local city ordinances. HRC provides services to the following areas: Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula, San Buenaventura, Thousand Oaks and Unincorporated Ventura County. Human Services for the City of Oxnard 305 West Third Street Oxnard, CA 93030 (805) 385-7947 Housing Complaints

YOLO COUNTY

Community Mediation Services and City of Davis Fair Housing Services 604 2nd Street Davis, CA 95616 (530) 757-5623 Educates and assists tenants and landowners through information and mediation as needed. Legal Services of Northern California Yolo County Office 619 North Street Woodland, CA 95695 (530) 662.-1065 www.lsnc.net/ Provides services to low-income consumers

YUBA COUNTY

Consumer may resort to civil resolution sources (Small Claims, private attorney, and Better Business Bureau). Publications available: Legal Guide Sheet LT-1 through 8 "California Tenants, Your Rights and Responsibilities"-booklet order form. See also: Consumer Agencies (Local) in C of this Directory. Other referrals: Lawyer Referrals

EVICTION PROCEDURES

Eviction procedures may be initiated in two ways: 1. Three-day notice

2. Thirty-day notice

THREE DAY NOTICE

A landlord can give a three day notice to pay or quit the premises when:

a. The tenant is behind in rent by not paying on the date stated in the rental agreement (does not pay on the first of the month or when due).

b. The tenant violated one of the terms stated in the rental agreement (fails to properly maintain the condition of the rental property)

THIRTY DAY NOTICE

The landlord can terminate a periodic tenancy by giving a thirty day notice. A landlord can reclaim his or her property at any time as long as proper written notice is given. A consumer can verify any exception to this rule by checking with their County Board of Supervisors. Laws can vary slightly by county, and the Board of Supervisors can determine if county guidelines affect the procedure to be followed by the landlord to evict a tenant. See "Just Cause Eviction" below.

Once the three or thirty day notice has been issued and that time has elapsed and the tenant has not vacated the premises, the landlord may file an unlawful detainer action in municipal court.

UNLAWFUL DETAINER LAWSUIT

The landlord must file an action in municipal court and be awarded the unlawful detainer action to evict a tenant. The eviction process is a judicial, court-administered procedure that does not permit landlords to physically remove a tenant from the premises, lock a tenant out, or cut off utilities such as water or power, or seize the tenant's belongings to carry out the eviction. If the tenant chooses not to respond to either a three or thirty day notice, and unlawful detainer will be issued to the tenant.

In most cases, a tenant has only five days in which to respond to this lawsuit. The tenant must respond within this time by filing the correct legal document with the clerk of the court in which the lawsuit was originally filed. By responding to the unlawful detainer within the allotted time, the tenant will then be entitled to go before a judge to contest the eviction. If the tenant fails to respond, the court may enter a default judgment in favor of the landlord. In either case, it will ultimately be the judge's decision as to whether the eviction will take place.

DEFAULT JUDGEMENT

If the tenant chooses not to appear in court to contest the unlawful detainer lawsuit, a judge may find the tenant to be in default. The tenant waives any rights by not appearing. In this case the court clerk issues a default judgment for the possession of premises and a writ of possession which the landlord presents to a sheriff or court's Marshall for the actual eviction.

WRIT OF POSSESSION

If the tenant does not leave voluntarily, the landlord may obtain a writ of possession from the court. The writ of possession allows the sheriff to forcibly evict a tenant. If the judge finds in favor of the landlord, the landlord must then request a writ of possession from the court. Before evicting a tenant, the sheriff or Marshall will serve that individual with a copy of the writ. The cost of this service will be added to the other costs of the lawsuit, (which the landlord will collect from the tenant).

After a tenant is served with the writ of possession, he or she has five days to move. If, after five days, a tenant has not quit the rented premises, that individual can be physically removed by the proper authorities. At this time the utilities may be turned off and the tenant locked out of the premises.

If the tenant's belongings are still in the rental, the sheriff or Marshall may either remove these items or have the landlord store them. The landlord can then charge the individual reasonable storage fees. If these items are not reclaimed within 18 days following the eviction, the landlord may seize them. See Legal Guide Sheets LT-4 and LT-5 for writ of possession information.

JUST CAUSE EVICTION

Some cities and counties have implemented a "just cause" eviction provision which requires landlords to provide a reason for evicting a tenant. These cities and counties are usually under rent control. These cities and counties are usually under rent control. Under normal circumstances, the information that is provided to tenants is that landlords are not usually required to provide a reason for an eviction. Consumer may check landlord/tenant referral sources by county and may also request Legal Guide Sheets 1 through 5.

PROPERTY MANAGER

If a landlord hires a resident manager to manage his rental property and the employee lives on site, the manager is not required to be licensed by the California Department of Real Estate. However, if a landlord hires a person to manage the rental property and the employee lives off site, the manager must register With (notify) the Department of Real Estate. If the rental property is 16 units or more, a site manager must register with, (notify), the department (per California Administrative Code 4).

Department of Real Estate 2201 Broadway Sacramento, CA 95818 (916) 227-0864 (consumer information) (916) 227-0931 (licensing information) www.dre.ca.gov/ For a listing of district offices, see Real Estate, Department of under R in this directory.

No state law requires landlords to pay interest on security deposits. In most localities, landlords do not have to pay tenants interest on deposits or put deposits in a separate bank account, (unless specifically agreed upon in a lease or rental agreement). Some landlords have found it is good public relations to pay tenants interest on their deposits, (even if no local law requires it).

However, some cities require landlords to pay or credit tenants with interest on security deposits. A few cities require that these funds be kept in separate interest-bearing accounts. Consumers may contact their local city councils or county board of supervisors in their area for information about security deposit interest/bearing accounts in their county of residence.

LANDLORD/TENANT RENT CONTROL

California has no statewide rent control law. Cities and Courts may establish rent control on a local basis, either through the initiative process or by the act of a city council. A county board of supervisors can also enact rent control in unincorporated areas of the county. Where to Get Information about Rent Control: The following organizations can assist consumers with questions about rent control ordinances in their area:

• The City Rent Control Board can supply the consumer with a current copy of the local ordinance and sometimes a brochure explaining the ordinance. Consumers may seek assistance from the office of the mayor or city manager for the address of the local rent control board.

• A local apartment owner's association can also provide the consumer with general information on rent control ordinances in the area they serve.

For Sacramento:

State of California Apartment Association 1414 K Street, Suite 610 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 447-7881 (recorded information)

• Alternate Dispute Resolution programs in the city or county where these ordinances are enforced.

• Local attorneys can be an additional resource. Consumers should consult the yellow pages for attorneys who specialize in landlord/tenant law and whose offices are in or near the city whose ordinances are in question.

Publications available: Landlord/Tenant Legal Guide Sheets LT-1 through LT-8

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