We are raising funds to help Neesh, a tenant in Redlands, fight a ‘renovation’ eviction. Neesh is fighting her landlord’s attempt to use a “major renovation” eviction to increase her rent beyond the legal amount. Neesh has been living in her apartment for many years so she is covered under Costa Hawkins “rent control.” Her landlord has been evicting people, painting and adding a recessed light in the kitchens to get people to move so they can raise rent regardless of the meager protections of Costa Hawkins. The 9% increase in rent is not enough, apparently, so they are evicting people and raising rent 100% more.
Your $300 contribution will pay for 1 hour of attorney fees. We are trying to raise $5,000 to $10,000 to pay the attorney fees to fight this case to change the culture of what landlords think they can get away with. Neesh has successfully fought this “renovation eviction” for two years and now it is going to court. The court battle will require an attorney.
The California Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482) has a legal description of ‘substantial remodel’ but many landlords ignore the state’s law. Landlords can can end your tenancy to remodel your home:
• If they plan to do work which requires a permit from a government agency, such as major plumbing, electrical, or structural work.
• If they need to deal with dangerous materials like mold, lead paint, or asbestos.
In both cases, the owner can only end your tenancy to do this work if
a) they cannot reasonably do the work while you’re still living in the home and
b) the work requires you to be out of the home for more than 30 days. The owner cannot end your tenancy if they can complete the remodeling in fewer than 30 days. Cosmetic improvements like new cabinets, counters, floors, or paint are not allowable reasons to end your tenancy.
Tenants, who are already struggling to pay rent, often give up and don’t assert the rights that are in California State law. Landlords know that renters don’t want to risk an eviction on their record and so they don’t expect tenants to assert their rights. They know that most renters can’t afford the legal representation needed to assert their rights. This has created a culture of lawlessness among landlords and the management companies they hire. Please help us raise funds to offset Neesh’s attorney fees. Help her fight this eviction and help us change the culture of what landlords think they can get away with. Neesh has been successfully fighting this nonsense for more than two years. Please help her with the cost of an attorney.