Do we have any kind of legal protection? Is what he's doing legal? Might we still end up signing our own lease?

Your scenario violates a cardinal rule of leasing: "Keep it simple." Your first mistake, which I urge you to never repeat, was entering into a...

A reasonable amount of time. Your section 8 status is not relevant. If the lease says the landlord provides a refrigerator, she is required to...

Do I have any options?

The core problem you face is that management cannot effectively control people in this setting, especially if there is a community culture of...

How can I terminate tenancy with a very difficult tenant without him thinking I'm retaliating for anything that he's done?

You can't control people. Just give written notice to tenant that you are ending rental agreement so family can use room. If tenant has been there...

Can a landlord put a tenant's pro-rated rental reimbursement toward alleged damages beyond those covered by a security deposit?

He should not have paid rent beyond the 16th if he gave proper notice. No, a landlord can't deduct for both cleaning and replacement. A tenant...

Can I be sued as the owner of a commercial unit who leases to a business that may be in violation of local laws?

Sure, you can get sued by neighboring property owners or their tenants about conditions at your property or activities by your tenants. The claims...

I'm sorry, your reasoning is faulty. You're trying to make landlord's action justify your decision to break lease. That doesn't fly.

Will I have to pay for repair or replacement? If I repair and leave the building and the unit stops working, can they charge me?

You're facing the classic tension in commercial leases. Does repair mean replace? A complete review of your lease would be necessary to guide...

If I want to add my relative to the title after close of escrow, will I need my lender's approval to make the title change?

If money from relative isn't a gift, then you are misrepresenting the facts to lender, at your peril. Why do that, since your intentions are to put...

Can we remove a tenant from a lease after she moves out before the lease expires?

Are you the landlord? Regardless, the simple answer is yes, if all parties including disgruntled tenant sign a lease amendment making the change....