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.
Concord, CA
Concord enforces the California Vehicle Code 72-hour rule (CVC 22651(k)) citywide, prohibits parking on unpaved surfaces in front yards, and operates permit ...
Concord, CA
Commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVWR are prohibited from overnight parking on residential streets in Concord and cannot be stored on residentially zoned ...
Concord, CA
California Public Resources Code §4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures in State Responsibility Areas and Very High Fire Hazard Severi...
Concord, CA
All fireworks, including "safe and sane" fireworks, are completely banned in Concord. Possession, sale, or use of any consumer fireworks is a misdemeanor pun...
Concord, CA
Concord regulates removal of protected trees under Concord Municipal Code chapter 8.50 (Tree Preservation). Protected trees over 10 inches DBH require a perm...
Concord, CA
Concord water customers served by Contra Costa Water District must follow permanent statewide conservation rules: no runoff, no watering during or 48 hours a...
See how Concord's repairs & habitability rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.