Whether you’re a landlord or a tenant, you should know your legal rights and responsibilities. The duties of both the landlord and the tenant are generally laid out in a lease or rental agreement. Both parties are expected to comply with the landlord-tenant laws to prevent any disputes. Failure to comply with these laws may lead to possible eviction and termination of the tenancy agreement. Landlord-tenant laws may vary from state to state. In the San Francisco Bay Area, if you’re a property owner renting out your residential property to a tenant, you need to fulfill your roles and responsibilities as a landlord. A credible San Francisco landlord rights attorney can help you know your rights and ensure your compliance with the landlord-tenant laws of the state. At Steven Adair MacDonald & Partners, P.C., we have been providing legal services to our clients who are facing landlord-tenant disputes. Our dedicated legal team represents landlords and real estate property owners facing disputes with their tenants over eviction cases, Fair Housing complaints, and other disputes. We can help you prepare residential and commercial lease agreements to protect your landlord rights and can assist you in negotiating with your tenants. We are here to guide you in navigating the complex landlord-tenant laws. Contact our reliable SF landlord attorneys and schedule an initial consultation.

What are your Rights as a San Francisco Landlord?

As a landlord, you have the legal rights that allow you to manage your rental property effectively and efficiently. There are many things you need to be mindful of when renting your house, condo, or apartment. A knowledgeable San Francisco landlord rights lawyer can help you know your duties, rights, and responsibilities as a landlord that are enforced by state law.

Evicting a Tenant

Eviction is a legal process that allows landlords to remove unruly tenants, as well as those who don’t pay their rent on time. As the property owner, you have the right to evict tenants for non-payment of rent or violation of the lease or rental agreement terms. Before you take any action to evict, it is extremely important to know the law of evictions in your state. This will help you avoid a case of wrongful eviction. A skilled landlord attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area can provide legal advice and help you prepare an effective eviction defense plan. Most states require landlords and property owners to give an eviction notice to tenants before initiating the eviction process. You need to serve your tenant a written notice setting out the cause for the eviction and requiring them to leave the property within the period given by state law. This is called either “cure and quit” or “pay rent or quit” notices. They give renters a chance to correct their behavior and comply with the tenancy rules.

Creating a Lease or Rental Agreement

A lease or rental agreement is a legally binding contract that is signed by both landlords and tenants. It is a document that outlines the terms, rules, and regulations of renting a property. It defines what you will be responsible for as a landlord and what actions you’ll take if the terms of the agreement are violated. Landlords must be careful when writing a rental agreement. You have to ensure that the conditions of the agreement will not be used against you. Therefore, having a seasoned San Francisco Bay Area landlord rights lawyer by your side is a great advantage.

Requiring Security Deposits

In some cases, the rental property can be left in poor condition. Therefore, as a landlord, it is always in your best interest to ask for a security deposit from your tenant. You may use the deposit to repair damages occurring during the lease term. Security deposit laws protect the rights of both tenants and landlords. When a tenant enters into a rental agreement, a security deposit clause is an important part of the contract. Keep in mind that misuse of the security deposit fund is a misdemeanor. To avoid disputes, you need to comply with the legal requirements of the state as to the amount of the deposit, how it is kept, and under what circumstances it must be returned. Some cities, including San Francisco, require the landlord to hold the security deposit in a separate bank account and later return it with interest.

Complying with the Anti-Discrimination Laws

An important part of defending your rights as a landlord is to respect your tenants’ rights. Landlords in San Francisco Bay Area must follow the anti-discrimination laws of the state. Such statutes include the Fair Housing Act (FHA), the Civil Rights Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The FHA prohibits discrimination in housing based on sex, race, religion, color, and national origin. The Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs receiving federal funding. Furthermore, the ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs provided by public entities. When you post an advertisement for your rental property, it is advisable to inform potential tenants that you are complying with the FHA, ADA, or Civil Rights Act requirements.

Maintaining the Rental Property

The California law requires landlords to ensure that all rental properties meet certain standards before they can be rented by tenants. A landlord is responsible for ensuring that the property is in “habitable condition”. The condition of the premises must be maintained throughout the rental period. Landlords must keep up with property maintenance and follow all health and building codes. For instance, you might have a tenant withholding rent and demanding that you make repairs in their rental unit because it is “uninhabitable.” According to California law, the tenant must follow certain procedures before withholding rent. If your tenant claims that you failed to maintain the rental property leading to major property damage, they may file a lawsuit against you. In this case, a top-ranking landlord rights attorney in San Francisco will represent you and fight for your rights as a landlord.

Hire an Experienced San Francisco Landlord Rights Attorney Now!

The laws governing landlord-tenant relationships are complex. Resolving landlord-tenant disputes requires knowledge and experience in landlord tenant law. As a landlord, it is crucial to learn and defend your rights in the landlord-tenant relationship. With the legal representation of our competent San Francisco landlord rights attorneys at Steven Adair MacDonald & Partners, P.C., we can help you fight unruly and troublesome tenants. Our landlord-tenant real estate law firm will help you handle your legal issues related to renting out your property to a tenant, lease agreements, evictions, and property repairs. We help our clients deal with real estate-related matters and provide exceptional legal services. We are ready to fight for your rights as a landlord. Contact us now and schedule an initial consultation.