Blog

Want to Become a Palo Alto Mediator?

-Do you want to volunteer to help your community? -Do you want to help people resolve their disputes? -Can you remain neutral when others...

Renter Insurance is required in my lease. Is this legal?

QUESTION: I am looking for a new apartment to rent. There was one rental unit in a modern community that is very attractive. However,...

I've been refused by landlords several times because I'm single. Is this legal?

QUESTION: I am just out of college and have a job working as a receptionist at a nonprofit agency—in other words, I don’t make much...

I think I am facing race discrimination. What should I do?

QUESTION: I am an African-American and am looking for a new place to live for my family. I am wondering whether I might be the victim of...

How do automatic renewal provisions work?

QUESTION: I signed a 12-month written lease one year ago. I knew that the one-year term expires at the end of this month. I thought...

I want to rent my condo. What do I need to know to stay out of trouble?

QUESTION: After I recently married, I moved in with my spouse. When I was single I bought a condo that I would now like to rent to...

This is the most broken society has ever been. What can we do about it?

"This is the most broken society has ever been. People blame each other. People don't listen to each other. No one talks to anybody who...

I don't want my tenant offering Airbnb at my property.

Question: I own a triplex. I live in one of the units and rent out the other two units. Recently I have suspected that one of my...

Noisy Families

Question: I am a property manager for a large, multi-unit complex. About three months ago, a couple with two children, ages 3 and 7,...