The California Landlord's Law Book: Rights & Responsibilities

The legal information and forms every California landlord needs

Choosing tenants, raising the rent, returning deposits, and maintaining rental propertythese 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.

For more than 30 years, The California Landlords law Book: Rights & Responsibilities has been the leading source of legal information for hundreds of thousands of California landlords. Now in its 17th edition, the book has been completely updated to cover state and federal laws and local rent control ordinances. It includes dozens of California-specific forms, such as leases and rental agreements, all with complete, easy-to-follow instructions tailored to state law.

Youll 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 a property manager
• keep up with repairs and maintenance
• restrict tenants from subletting or hosting short-term guests
• act promptly when rent is late, and
• terminate a tenancy.

David Brown practices law in the Monterey, California area, where he has represented both landlords and tenants in hundreds of court cases -- most of which he felt could have been avoided if both sides were more fully informed about landlord/tenant law. Brown, a graduate of Stanford University and the University of Santa Clara Law School.

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.

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.