Mold Habitability Standards for California Rentals

November 7 2015

California landlords should be aware that a new law starting January 1 2016
is that Mold has been added to the list of habitability problems

No obligation to repair until given notice or if a tenant fails to to keep property clean and sanitary.

What should the landlords approach be?

Definition of Substandard building requires determination of health or code
enforcement officer.

Source SB 655

Jim W Hildreth Mediator
(888) 877-3189
Real Estate Mediation Services

California Smoke Alarm Reminder

 November 4 2015

Smoke Alarm Reminder for California Landlords


Beginning January 1, 2016

Landlord shall install additional smoke alarms as needed, to insure that the smoke alarms are in
compliance with current building  standards

1) each bedrooms
2) centrally located outside each sleeping area and
3) on every floor, including the basement regardless of whether there is a sleeping
    ares on the floor. (California Building Code (F) 907.2 2.101.2)

Landlord not required to replace existing alarms unless inoperable.

Jim W Hildreth Mediator
(888) 877-3189  (209) 536-1103
Real Estate Mediation

Small Claims Court California

Having a dispute? One can file a claim up to $10,000 in California Superior Courts.

Types of Disputes Real Estate, Landlord Tenant, vendor- vendee, money owed

One can visit the local court and often under forms file a simple application for your dispute.

Need assistance with your forms, courts often have a self help center, or check with a local legal document assistant.  CALDA offers online legal document assistants.

Always consider asking the court for the availability of Alternative Dispute Resolution or
Mediation.

Jim W Hildreth Mediator

Real Estate Mediation Services

Patience in Mediation

In a 3.5 hour mediation the plaintiff reflected anger, however restraint. The defendant
angry and defiant and possibly in denial.

Each had strong positions in a Landlord Tenant Dispute.

The plaintiff desired resolution, the defendant raged.

The mediator after 3.5 hours lost objectivity.

The mediator was trained with hundreds  of mediations.

A sharp tongue that only lasted seconds, went beyond neutrality.

A lesson to be learned.

Patience

Jim W Hildreth Mediator

Real Estate Mediation Services