California landlords must keep rentals fit to live in. Civil Code §§ 1941 and 1941.1, reinforced by Green v. Superior Court, imply a warranty of habitability covering plumbing, heat, water, electricity, and sanitation. If repairs fail after notice, a tenant may repair and deduct up to one month's rent under § 1942 or withhold rent.
Civil Code § 1941 requires a landlord to "put it into a condition fit for such occupation, and repair all subsequent dilapidations... which render it untenantable." Section 1941.1 lists required features: effective waterproofing, working plumbing, hot and cold running water, heating, electrical lighting, sanitary premises free of vermin, and floors, stairways, and railings in good repair. In Green v. Superior Court (1974), the California Supreme Court held this warranty is implied in every residential lease and is a defense to nonpayment. Under § 1942, if the landlord fails to repair within a reasonable time (30 days presumed) after notice, the tenant may repair and deduct the cost, not exceeding "one month's rent," "not... more than twice in any 12-month period."
Breach lets a tenant repair-and-deduct, withhold rent, sue for damages and rent abatement, or raise habitability as a defense in an unlawful detainer. Substandard conditions can also trigger code-enforcement penalties and, in serious cases, civil penalties under tenant-protection statutes.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Burbank, CA
BMC 9-3-210 makes it unlawful to repair, rebuild, or test a motor vehicle during nighttime in or within 500 feet of a residential zone if it annoys a reasona...
Burbank, CA
BMC 9-3-214 bars leaf-blower use within or 200 feet of a residential zone between 6:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M., caps duration at 15-30 minutes per hour by parcel ...
Burbank, CA
Burbank Municipal Code Section 6-1-1003 lets residents petition to establish a residential permit parking zone, generally where at least 80 percent of adjace...
Burbank, CA
Burbank Municipal Code 10-1-203 defines a hedge as vegetation grown as a physical barrier and regulates hedges like fences, capping them at 6 feet in the R-1...
Burbank, CA
Burbank has no separate pool-fence ordinance; California state law (the Swimming Pool Safety Act, Health & Safety Code 115922-115923) controls, requiring an ...
Burbank, CA
Burbank Municipal Code 10-1-1303 (Corner Cutoff) bars any structure, object, or feature, including fences, walls, and hedges, from being erected or maintaine...
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