Yes. Not having any heating is considered a reason that renders the premises uninhabitable. A rental unit may be considered uninhabitable...

How can I sue for my remaining $800?

You will have to check the laws of the State of Tennessee because a lawsuit will need to be filed there, not in California. Nevertheless, you...

If i rent a club for a party and pay the required amount asked, can the owners later charge me additional fees for security?

Yes, the owners can ask for an additional security deposit. Note that a DEPOSIT is not a fee or a charge but rather security for future payment or...

Law office just called me about civil demand.

Yes, they are trying to scare you into paying. If they are serious, they will likely follow up and send "more" letters (you apparently have...

Can i recover back rent for renting a illlegal unit for 3 years?

Probably not. But utimately, it depends upon what the code violations were for. Were there substantial failures to comply with state and local...

Can a co signer who was making payments sue me for payments he made

Yes, of course the co-signor can sue you for payments he made.

If the landlord wrote on the lease agreement form that we cannot use the living room since it is for landlord use only,

Your question does not clearly state whether the landlord also lives in the same house. However, it appears from your description you are a "...

Can we place a mechanic's lien on a property because the seller will not release funds in escrow?

No. A mechanic's lien is used in securing payment for construction related debts. I think you might be referring to a notice of lis pendens...

How is the defendant notified if they have lost a small claims lawsuit.

You will need to check with the New York small claims court (and/or a New York attorney) for the answer to your question.

Is this case without merit? Did the judge rule the wrong way?

There is insufficient information to give an accurate response. However, just note that there are two distinct causes of action in California: ...