• Electrical and Mechanical systems shall be in good working order and conform to applicable law at the time of installation. Plumbing systems must be in safe and sanitary condition, free of defects, leaks and obstructions Repairs must be permanent and use accepted methods.
• There must be a permanently installed heating source able to provide a room temperature of 65ºF. Heating devices must conform to applicable laws and fuel-burning must be properly ventilated. 
• Roof, exterior walls, windows, and doors must prevent water leakage into living areas; repairs must be permanent and use accepted construction methods. 
• Roof, floors, walls, foundations, and all other structural components must be in good condition and capable of providing designed support. 
• Each unit must have an approved and working smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector installed and maintained in accordance with applicable codes. 
• Every dwelling unit must be maintained free of rodents and other infestations. 
• Every dwelling unit must be maintained free of visible mold growth. City inspectors are not qualified mold inspectors and can only require that visible mold be cleaned, absent a report from a certified mold testing professional. If a report from a certified mold testing professional is provided, city staff may require mold be remediated as recommended by the provided report.  
• Hot water system shall be capable of producing water of at least 110ºF. 
• Doors and windows must be in operable condition and be equipped with working locks. 
• A working toilet, wash basin, bathtub and/or shower shall be provided. 
• A kitchen with a working sink shall be provided.
• A safe fire or emergency exit shall be maintained.
• Proper light, ventilation and space for occupancy shall be provided.
• General maintenance - no major cracking or missing pieces of counter tops, vent screens, secure handrails, maintained vegetation and paint.

Tenants have basic legal rights that are always present, no matter what the rental agreement states. These rights include all of the following: 

• Limits on the amount of the security deposit that the landlord can require you to pay.
• As of January 1, 2020, most rental units are covered by the Tenant Protection Act which places a cap on annual rent increases equal to 5% plus inflation, or 10%, whichever is lower, and no more than two rental increases within a 12-month period. Tenants living in cities with rent stabilization programs might have additional rent protections available to them. See Appendix 2 in this guidebook for a comprehensive list of California cities and counties with rent stabilization protections.
• Limits on the landlord’s right to enter the rental unit.
• The right to a refund of the security deposit, or a written accounting of how any of it was used by the landlord, after you move out.
• The right to sue the landlord for violations of the law, or your rental agreement.
• The right to repair serious defects in the rental unit and to deduct certain repair costs from the rent, under appropriate circumstances, provided the tenant gives the landlord reasonable advance notice.
• The right to withhold rent under appropriate circumstances.
• Rights under the warranty of habitability.
• The right to the implied rental agreement covenant of ‘quiet enjoyment.’ 
• Protection against retaliatory eviction.
• Most tenants are protected from being evicted without just cause, which means that the landlord must have a valid legal reason for an eviction.
• Right to request a reasonable accommodation.
• Right to fair housing rights and protections against unlawful discrimination.

In most cases, the owner or property manager must provide the tenant with prior written notice to enter the tenant’s rental home. Written notice is considered reasonable if it is provided at least 24 hours in advance. A written notice is required in the following situations:

• To make necessary or agreed-upon repairs.
• First and subsequent waterbed installation and inspections to ensure the installation meets the law’s requirements.
• To show the rental unit to prospective tenants, purchasers, lenders, or to provide inspection before the end of tenancy.
• If directed by a court of law.

Prior written notice is not required in the following situations:

• In an emergency.
• Under consent of tenant or other legal occupant(s).
• After tenant has abandoned or surrendered the rental home.
• Upon verbal agreement to allow the owner to make agreed-upon repairs, or to supply services.

Permits are required for work such as:

• Electrical, plumbing, or mechanical alterations or additions.
• Structural additions or alterations such as stairs, walls, and decks requiring steps.

Living in garages, attics or closets is unsafe and NOT permitted in San Luis Obispo. DO NOT rent an unpermitted space. Check with the City Building Dept. for approved permits.

How to Recognize Illegal Conversions:

• Walls built within a garage
• Water heater located in sleeping or living area
• Undersized or no window provided in the room or space

Substandard Housing Conditions:

• Lack of hot water
• No heat provided
• Inadequate stairs to room or sleeping area
• Hazardous electrical conditions such as missing cover plates or exposed wiring
• No natural or mechanical ventilation for bathroom
• Lack of smoke detector in sleeping room

Landlords should routinely inspect homes to ensure unlawful conditions do not exist on their property. In the State of California, the owner/corporation is ultimately responsible.

It is up to YOU to Protect Yourself. Be fire safe!

• Keep at least one fire extinguisher in your home
• NEVER leave candles unattended
• Plug electric portable heaters directly into wall socket (DO NOT use an extension cord)
• Clean dryer lint screens after each use
• When cooking, DO NOT leave food unattended
• Ensure that your apartment or house has smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and check batteries regularly

For more information on fire prevention, visit www.slocity.org/fire

SLO Solutions

This resource can provide residents with free mediation services.

805.549.0442
www.slosolutions.com

Department of Real Estate Publications

The DRE offers many publications on topics of current interest to the consumer and licensees, such as the Real Estate Reference Book, which provides general information on many aspects of real estate practice; and the Real Estate Law book and CD, which contains the current Real Estate Law, the Commissioner's Regulations, and pertinent excerpts from other California codes.

dre.ca.gov/Publications/CompleteListPublications.html

Landlord Tenant Self-Help Clinic

resource coming soon

Trespassing Assistance

Link coming soon.

HASLO Landlord Information/Resources

Advertise on the Affordable Housing website.

www.haslo.org/landlord-information-resources

Cal Poly Off Campus Housing

The Off-Campus Housing Program was established to provide students and community stakeholders with connections and resources to improve student success as they live in the San Luis Obispo community.

deanofstudents.calpoly.edu/offcampushousing

Avoid Eviction Guide

This is a comprehensive step-by-step guide for people at risk of eviction created by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. The plan offers unprecedented assistance to prevent renters from losing their homes.

www.usich.gov/tools-for-action/at-risk-of-eviction-help-is-available/