Is a tenant entitled to collect past rent paid to a landlord for an illegally built room or addition?

This is an unsettled area of law. There are published Court of Appeal precedents holding that a landlord can't collect rent for an illegal...

Can you collect attorney's fees if your landlord unlawfully "converted" your property after an eviction and you sued him/her?

Generally speaking, attorney fees are only recoverable if provided by an applicable contract of statute. See Code of Civil Procedure Section...

Am I legally obligated to pay a utility bill that covers the past 10 months?

I sympathize for the inconvenience. However, it is doubtful that any court would find that the failure to provide you the bills on a more timely...

Wrongful Evection. Should my mother take legal action?

Both the Section 8 program and Oakland's Just Cause For Eviction allow at least some evictions for owner or relative occupancy purposes. However,...

I'm going to re-list this under family law to get some insight from specialists in that area. However, my sense is that you can terminate with...

I agree with Mr. Moss' sound advice, but would add that you can complain to the local code enforcement agency about both the ongoing problems, and...

Im a paralegal in california. The lawyer i work for wants me to attach a declaration to a opposition of a demurrer. can you?

You are correct that a court generally will not consider extrinsic evidence (other than matters about which the court can take judicial notice) in...

I was served with a 30 day notice to quit, if I can't pay the last months rent what happens can they serve a 3 day pay or quit.

The service of the 30-day notice does not excuse you from paying rent for the balance of the term. If you don't then the landlord can serve you...

My landlord did not pay deposit within 21 days and states he told me 30 days. Does he have a basis?

Even if the landlord blows the 21 day deadline set in Civil Code Section 1950.5, the landlord has the right to assert a set-off defense based on...

I want to terminate my rental agreement before the termination date. The reason for termination is a cockroach manifestation.

The contract cannot validly waive certain rights (see e.g. Civil Code Sections 1942.1 and 1953), and you may well have the right to terminate...