Common Slumlord Habitability Violations in Los Angeles

Los Angeles reports that roughly one per cent of the City’s population lives in dwellings that might be categorized as slums. The reality is that more than 10% of LA’s rental housing is overcrowded, with residents forced to live in substandard conditions with multiple violations of the City’s Building Codes and Standards.

If you have questions or concerns over whether your housing unit is plagued by any of the common slumlord habitability violations in Los Angeles, please contact our dedicated slumlord litigation lawyers at The Law Offices of Gerald S. Ohn, APC. Our experienced team can investigate your situation and pursue your landlord to remediate Code violations and recover compensation for the dangerous conditions your landlord failed to correct.

What Slumlord Habitability Violations are Common?

The City Controller of Los Angeles tracks slumlord habitability violations in Los Angeles, with the most common including:

• Sanitation and ventilation issues that foster growth of hazardous mold and attract roaches, mice, and other vermin
• Mechanical system failures that impair availability of clean water, regular electrical services, and heating and cooling
• Structural building problems, such as broken stairs or walkways, decayed or deteriorated roofs that leak during rainstorms, water accumulations in low-lying areas, broken windows and doors, and inadequate fire or CO2 warning or suppression systems
• Inadequate security that increases risks of break-ins and assaults
• Unlawful evictions or rent increases that are levied in response to tenants’ reporting problems.

If you are experiencing any of these or other problems that affect the habitability of your rental housing, reach out to our team today.

How Can a Lawyer Fight Slumlord Habitability Violations?

The key to challenging any common slumlord habitability issues in Los Angeles is to first create a solid record of the violations. A slumlord litigation lawyer from the Law Offices of Gerald S. Ohn, APC could help you compile this record, which might include:

• Photographs and video of matters that may be violations, noting the time and date of each recording
• A written log of communications that you have had with your landlord about the problems, and notations of how and when the landlord addressed them
• Code enforcement inspection reports from the City’s Department of Health, or private independent inspection reports from certified building examiners
• Copies of medical diagnoses and doctors’ bills for treatment of injuries caused by building violations, including, for example, respiratory problems from mold, skin infections from bedbug infestations, or injuries from falls caused by broken or unrepaired steps of walkways.

Your attorney can then present this record to your landlord with a formal demand letter for repairs and remediation. If your landlord ignores the demand, your lawyer can then sue for damages and a court order to force your landlord to take action.

In extreme situations where delaying repairs can be harmful, California Civil Code § 1942 allows you to fix the problem and deduct the costs of repairs up to an amount equal to one month’s rent. You should not attempt this remedy, however, without first getting advice and guidance from a seasoned lawyer who can verify that the problem with your rental unit makes it untenantable. You must also give your landlord at least 30 days prior written notice of your intention to make repairs and deduct costs from your rent.

Contact Our Los Angeles Lawyers for More Advice About Common Slumlord Habitability Violations

For advice and guidance on addressing the common slumlord habitability violations in Los Angeles that are affecting your rental unit, contact our team at the Law Offices of Gerald S. Ohn, APC, today. Our team could help you recover damages for harms you have suffered.