Counsel for California rental property owners.
Bornstein Law helps property owners navigate the disputes, regulations and difficult decisions that come with owning rental property.
What can we help you with?
Rental property problems rarely arrive with a neat legal label. Start with the issue you're facing.
Evictions for nonpayment of rent
When rent goes unpaid, a seemingly straightforward eviction can become anything but. Notice requirements, payment issues and procedural errors can determine whether an unlawful detainer moves forward or has to start over.
Evictions for nuisance behavior
Nuisance cases require more than frustration with a difficult tenant. We help property owners evaluate conduct involving other residents, property damage, lease violations and other behavior that may support an eviction.
Owner Move-In and Relative Move-In evictions
Owners may be able to recover a tenant-occupied unit for their own use or for certain qualifying relatives. These highly regulated evictions require careful attention to eligibility, notice requirements, relocation payments and local restrictions.
Tenant buyout agreements
Sometimes the better path to vacancy is an agreement rather than an eviction. We advise owners on negotiating tenant buyouts while navigating the disclosure, documentation and other requirements imposed by local law.
Evictions for substantial rehabilitation and remodels
Major work may sometimes require a rental unit to be vacant, but California and local laws impose strict requirements on these evictions. We help owners determine whether the planned work qualifies and navigate the required notices, permits and relocation obligations.
Rent Board petitions
Rent boards can determine issues ranging from rent reductions and allowable increases to exemptions and pass-throughs. We represent property owners in petitions, hearings and other proceedings before local rent agencies.
Defending against tenant lawsuits
Property owners can face claims involving habitability, harassment, retaliation, discrimination, wrongful eviction and other alleged violations. We defend landlords and help them evaluate the practical and legal options for resolving the dispute.
Reviewing and drafting lease agreements
A lease should reflect the tenancy you actually intend to create. We review and draft rental agreements, advise owners on changing tenancy terms and identify provisions that may create problems under state or local law.
Commercial tenancies
Commercial landlord-tenant relationships operate under a different set of rules and expectations. We advise property owners on lease disputes, defaults, possession issues and other conflicts involving commercial tenancies.
Mold and habitability disputes
Mold allegations can quickly become larger habitability disputes. We help owners respond to tenant claims, evaluate their legal obligations and address the potential litigation and tenancy issues that can follow.
Pets and assistance animals
Animals in rental housing can raise questions about pet policies, reasonable accommodations, nuisance behavior, property damage and liability. We help housing providers distinguish ordinary pets from assistance animals and address the issues that can arise when animals are kept at the property.
EXPLORE PETS AND ASSISTANCE ANIMALS →
Rent increases
How much rent can be increased — and when — depends on the property, tenancy and laws that apply. We advise owners on statewide and local rent limits, notice requirements and the proper implementation of lawful increases.
Not every landlord problem fits neatly into a category.
Tell us what's happening. We'll help you identify the legal issues, understand your options and determine what comes next.
507 Polk St, Suite 410, San Francisco, CA 94102
410 7th St, Suite 203, Oakland, CA 94607
415-409-7611
contact@bornstein.law
