Kenneth Herbert Carlson

Ken is the best! In 2013 I rented a condo in San Diego, non stop electrical issues, after several requests for repair to the property manager went unanswered one wall outlet started sparking and left large burn marks on the wall, Ken advised me step-by-step on the exact steps to take to mitigate any... owner recourse and legally exit my lease 7 months early without owing any additional money! Fast forward to 2021 in. LA and am again using his legal services to exit my lease 9 months early due to an overly hostile potentially violent neighbor who is creating a very dangerous situation and a property management team who seems to not be able to effectively resolve the issue. Key to success in CA tenant law is to follow a very methodical process, exactly how Ken and his team lay out, this is key!

Thanks to Ken, I was so well prepared for the case that my landlord didn't even bother opposing my Demurrer and instead requested dismissal at the Demurrer hearing! First, I challenged the court's jurisdiction based on the the defective notice with a Motion to Quash (Motion only failed because the ...court's electronic filing system closed early on me at the filing deadline [don't wait til last moment to file your pleadings!]) With the defective notice in what was a no fault "just-cause" Unlawful Detainer or Eviction case, the accompanying Complaint and Mandatory Covid-19 Cover sheet failed to list any exemption to the Tenant Protection Act ("TPA") and in fact said I was both covered by the Act and was NOT covered by the Act. Landlord even claimed an exemption from the Act but did not list it anywhere on the Notice or Complaint or Mandatory Covid-19 Cover Sheet. The Landlord's lawyer was not updated on the new TPA law and erroneously claimed they needed no reason to evict a tenant of 5 years. And with the lease even stating that "Just Cause" language was required on the notice where required by law, which it is under the TPA, Landlord missed this one as well. And after complaining about habitability issues and lease clauses that were violations of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Landlord retaliated and sued me despite our agreement to not litigate and my voluntary agreement to move out a few moths earlier. Then Landlord fires me from my four year job as quasi property manager that after two years earlier, locking the water supply to our agreed upon once a week car washings for my driving jobs. Even more incredible, this man let a tenant of another race have a cat , but forced me to return my cat; heartbroken, I did get another cat supported by the Emotional Support Animal Law in California. And when the Landlord's attorney lied about serving me with Opposition to my Quash Motion papers in my mailbox (none of the units have required mailboxes), I was able to unleash my Affirmative Defenses in the Quash hearing as a Special Appearance - thus not under the Court's Jurisdiction - which defenses normally are reserved for a person who is under the Court's Jurisdiction during a Demurrer or in the Answer. Doing so, does reveal some of your legal strategy for the trial, but with Ken's consulting and encouragement - my defense was sound and I knew Landlord could not defeat me! Now, I must reveal that I am a retired research attorney, but knew nothing of California Eviction Law. Had to study my butt off for three months - Unlawful Detainers move fast and it is definitely not small claims court. Very complex; but, if you can follow Ken's system and are willing to work hard, you can prevail! So, my next strategy was to file for Injunctive and Declaratory relief at the Quash stage as I was most likely to win my case and needed future guidance in rent reduction due to car was expenses for his breach of our agreement and statutory damages moving forward due to the self-help utility water lockout. Per Statute, two years at $100 a day adds up ($73,000!). Even an equitable penalty of two years at $100 per week ($10,400) surely freaked out the Landlord. Then the damaging e-mails of encouraging me to move and that it was safer to be out of the crowded apartment and that with my new car, I could surely afford to move (in reality, my Mercedes is 20 years old and part of my insurance settlement from my totaled new Jeep that was worth three times as much). Followed by Landlord's pity letter of how he takes care of his family and in-laws and money is tight and he can rent my room for a lot more than $500 a month. The GULL! And finally to boot, libels and defames me saying I was an unqualified Tenant to begin with! Well, if you you rate me on my 703 up and down credit rating, maybe. But five years of near perfect rent payments says otherwise. OK enough - now we get ready to sue him. THANKS KEN!

As many ratings state, Mr. Carlson is a true advocate for the LAW, which empowers tenants to express their rights. I stumbled upon Ken Carlson’s webpage, caltenantlaw.com, while searching for information regarding tenant rights to quiet enjoyment of property. I read several article and advice piece...s on his webpage before finding the COVID-19 Evictions video Mr. Carlson created. It is 40 minutes long, and each minute provides incredible information regarding tenant-landlord law. Within twenty-four hours of watching the video, I contacted Mr. Carlson for his legal services and advice. Speaking with Mr. Carlson is amazing. He listens to your questions and concerns. He helps you see the forest for the trees not the other way around and empowers you to exercise your rights of which you have many. I will likely use Mr. Carlson often both as a tenant and an advisor for when I am a landlord myself. As Mr. Carlson says in the video, there is a right way to be a landlord and a wrong way. All tenants have the right to be treated fairly and to demand landlords adhere to and respect the laws protecting those rights. Thank you, Mr. Carlson for your professionalism and advice! Because of your consultation, I feel confident in demanding my rights be respected by the landlord and to see the threats they may throw as hollow.

Ken successfully walked us thru an unlawful detainer, this was a very stressful time for us. He guided us every step of the way, explaining the process clearly and even easing our concerns. We would highly recommend Ken, through his guidance and direction we received the results we were hoping for. W...e would recommend him 100%. Thanks Ken.

Look no further. he is the one and only attorney for tenants! Ken has provided an excellent service and put his superior knowledge of the Tenants Law on the full display. He is a real professional, and he made all legal matters the walk in the park for us. He is exceptional, but you will need to fol...low precisely what he is asking you — nothing more, nothing less.