FROM BLIGHT INTO BEAUTY AND BACK AGAIN

By March 15, 2013, a rotting sofa, wood debris, and chain link fence were removed from the private property behind 130 Caldecott Lane.

Tenants breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Did you see that?  All that stuff has been removed!”

But, it’s beginning to look like a Third World Country again.


Now the property is accumulating barbecue grills and refrigerators.

While our leases state:

“Resident is responsible for the upkeep of the yard and landscaping, and keeping said area free from garbage, Resident’s personal property, and debris.”

Under California law, the Landlord is responsible for the following:

California Civil Code section 1941.1 states:

(a) A dwelling shall be deemed untenantable for purposes of Section 1941 if it substantially lacks any of the following affirmative standard characteristics or is a residential unit described in Section 17920.3 or 17920.10 of the Health and Safety Code:

(6) Building, grounds, and appurtenances. . .and all areas under control of the landlord, kept in every part clean, sanitary, and free from all accumulations of debris, filth, rubbish, [and] garbage. . .