California Landlord's Law Book, The: Rights & Responsibilities

The legal information and forms every California landlord needs

Choosing tenants, raising the rent, returning deposits, and maintaining rental property―these are just a few of the things landlords do that are strictly regulated by California law. To avoid problems and hefty legal fees, rental property owners and managers need to know and comply with federal, state, and local rules, and use the proper legal forms. Fortunately, everything you need is in this book.

Rent control and eviction protections are blossoming throughout California, with even small municipalities enacting local ordinances that affect rent, terminations, and notices. This book contains a unique rent control chart that explains key provisions and gives information on how to learn more. No California landlord can afford to do business without checking for local ordinances and following them.

With The California Landlord’s Law Book: Rights & Responsibilities you’ll learn how to:

• screen prospective tenants―without discriminating illegally
• prepare (and enforce) leases and rental agreements
• collect and return security deposits
• raise the rent and change other terms of the tenancy
• hire, work with, and fire property managers
• keep up with repairs and maintenance
• restrict subletting and short-term rentals
• act promptly when rent is late, and
• terminate a tenancy.

With Downloadable Forms

Download and customize more than 40 essential legal forms, including a lease and rental agreement (in both English and Spanish), tailored to meet California law (details inside).

Nils Rosenquest has practiced housing, landlord-tenant, real estate, and business law for more than 35 years on behalf of individual landlords and tenants, small businesses, and community organizations. AV rated by Martindale Hubbell, Rosenquest practices in all state and federal courts in California, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He is also admitted to the United States Court of Claims and the United States Tax Court. In addition to helping private individuals and companies in housing and community matters, he represents non-profit subsidized housing developers and non-profit live-work communities. Apart from his law practice, he serves on the board of directors for the Chinatown Community Development Center, Inc., which supports subsidized housing and community development in San Francisco; volunteers at the San Francisco Superior Court in three departments; and teaches legal continuing education classes from time to time.

Janet Portman, Nolo’s executive editor specializes in residential and commercial landlord/tenant law. She is the author or coauthor of Every Landlord's Legal Guide, Every Tenant's Legal Guide, Renters' Rights, Leases & Rental Agreements, The California Landlord's Law Book: Rights and Responsibilities, and others. Portman received undergraduate and graduate degrees from Stanford University and a law degree from Santa Clara University. Before joining Nolo in 1994, she practiced law as a public defender.