Landlord/Property Manager Resources


Legal Resources in your community.....

Lawyer Referral Service
San Mateo County Bar Association
www.smcba.org/community/lrs.htm

For a nominal fee, the staff arranges an appointment with an attorney.

650-369-4149

Northern California Senior Legal Hotline
www.seniorlegalhotline.org

515 12th St, Sacramento, CA 95814
916-551-2140 in Sacramento            800-222-1753 toll-free in Northern California

If you are over 60 in Northern California, you can get free legal advice on any issue or more information about these programs from the Senior Legal Hotline. You can also submit your question by e-mail from their web site at www.seniorlegalhotline.org.

Small Claims Court
www.sanmateocourt.org/director.php?filename=./smallclaims/index.html

Northern Branch (South San Francisco) 877-5775
Central Branch (San Mateo) 573-2605
Southern Branch (Redwood City) 363-4303

 

Small Claims Mediation Program
www.sanmateocourt.org/director.php?filename=./adr/smallclaims/index.html

This program provides on-site mediation services. If a case settles in mediation, the court will not proceed with the small claims hearing, but rather will note in the court file that the parties reached a mediated settlement. For more information, contact the program coordinator at 650-573-3907.



Legal Resources on the web....

NOLO Press
www.nolo.com/encyclopedia/lt_ency.html

Self-help for landlords and tenants. Includes Ten Tips for Being a Successful Landlord; Landlord-Tenant Dispute Resolution FAQ; Leases and Rental Agreements FAQ; Tenant Selection FAQ; Housing Rights of Disabled Tenants; Rent FAQ; Security Deposit FAQ; Repairs and Maintenance FAQ; Tenants' Right to Privacy; Landlord Liability FAQs; Evictions; Landlord-Tenant Legal Codes for 50 States. Publishers of: California Landlord's Law Book, California Tenants' Rights Books can be ordered online or at 800-992-6656. See web site for additional titles and software.

U.C. Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies, California Local Codes & Charters
www.igs.berkeley.edu/library/calcodes.html

Codes and charters of California cities and towns.
California State Laws www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html
Keyword search of all 29 codes of California State law. Texts of codes available.

California Courts Self-Help Centerwww.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp
This site offers no legal advice, but links to sites on finding legal help and learning California landlord/tenant law. Free and low-cost help in Landlord/Tenant matters. Landlord/Tenant links. Eviction information and forms.

www.Landlord.com
Downloadable forms for landlords' use:
  • 3-day notice to Pay Rent or Vacate (East Palo Alto, only)
  • 24-hour Notice of Intention to Enter Dwelling
  • Notice of Change of Terms of Tenancy
  • Rental Application Fees
  • Unlawful Detainer Forms in Spanish, French, German, Portuguese and Italian.


Professional Associations

Tri-County Apartment Association
www.tcaa.org/
792 Meridian Way, Ste. A, San Jose, CA 95126-3899
650-685-1814

The nonprofit trade association serving the rental housing industry in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. Offers: tips for rent adjustments, landlords rights and responsibilities, tips for renters seeking housing and educational courses on property management

California Apartment Association
www.caanet.org/

980 Ninth St, Ste. 2150, Sacramento, CA 95814
800-967-4222

Serves California rental property owners and managers. Includes: Security Deposit; Accommodating disabled tenants; Pets; Senior Housing; Notice to Enter; Legal Information.



Books and Pamphlets

California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities
www.dca.ca.gov/legal/landlordbook/index
 or Download the guide (PDF)
Legal guide describing the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants in California. HTML and PDF versions are available.

To order a free copy by mail:State of California Department of Consumer Affairs, Consumer Assistance
400 R. St, Room 1040, Sacramento, CA 95814
800-952-5210 or 916-445-1254
(TDD) 916-322-1700

The California Landlord's Law Book: Rights & Responsibilities, 11th ed.
Brown, David, et al. Berkeley, CA: Nolo Press, 2004.

The California Landlord's Law Book, Evictions, 11th ed.
Brown, David. Berkeley, CA: Nolo Press, 2005.


Other Resources

San Mateo County Human Services Agency Office of Housing
www.smchsa.org/housing
For information on Section 8 housing program, a federally funded, nationwide rent subsidy program.

650-802-3300