Answers legal questions of concern to tenants and explains how to deal with a landlord who is acting unfairly

The landlord's essential guide to residential rental law Landlord's Legal Kit For Dummies is a comprehensive guide to the laws and legalities of renting property. This one-stop legal reference provides both guidance and the correct forms that help landlords avoid tenant issues, which could lead to legal ramifications. From screening potential tenants to handling your own insurance and taxes, you'll find expert insight in this easy-to-read style that simplifies complex legal matters into understandable terms. The book includes access to all the needed legal forms in both English and Spanish, and contains current information about applicable codes, ordinances, and policies across the country. Landlords have a responsibility to provide a safe, fully operational home for their tenants, and oversights can result in major court settlements. As a landlord, you need to know what the law requires of you. You also need to understand your rights, and the actions available to you when the tenant is in the wrong. This resource brings you up to speed, with the most current information about residential rental property law. The book covers privacy rights, domicile laws, paperwork, and more. Features up-to-date lease forms and contracts available for download online Provides information about applicant screening questionnaires and anti-discrimination policies Includes state and local building codes, health ordinances, and landlord-tenant laws Instructs you how to handle breach of lease situations and evictions There's even guidance on hiring a lawyer to protect your assets, property, and rights. Ignorance of the law is no excuse in court, and it frequently leads to misunderstandings that can hurt your wallet and your reputation. Before you lease another property, get all your ducks in a row with the essential instruction and tools in Landlord's Legal Kit For Dummies.

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, 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 now a matter of state law, and even small municipalities are enacting their own 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 apply the state-wide rent control and eviction protection law if it applies to you 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.

According to California law, the procedures governing landlords must be followed or you could be held liable to tenants for thousands of dollars in damages and attorney's fees. The Landlord's Legal Guide in California clarifies the landlord/tenant laws in plain English so you can protect your rights as well as your investment. This book details how to confront difficult situations and deal with them in a professional manner. You will be provided with insight into the tenancy process along with forms, flowcharts and examples from actual cases to answer any questions that you may have about protecting your rights as a landlord.

More states than ever before are passing laws—such as rent control and eviction prevention laws—to protect tenants. This book helps renters navigate and use these new protections (along with the old ones) to their advantage, and offers timely advice on how tenants can handle common rental-related problems without assistance from a lawyer.