UPDATE FOR CALIFORNIA LANDLORDS
Beginning January 1, 2003, California tenants who have lived in their properties for longer than twelve months will be entitled to 60 days notice before their tenancy can be terminated. Prior to the first of the year, month-to-month tenancies could be terminated upon 30 days written notice. There is now an exemption from the 60-day rule when the property has been sold to someone who intends to occupy the premises for at least twelve months.
Also, landlords must notify residential tenants who take possession of premises after January 1, 2003, that they have a right to require a pre-move out inspection by the landlord or his agent. The inspection must take place, if requested by the tenant, two weeks before the termination of the tenancy. The landlord must inform the tenant at the pre-move inspection of everything that needs to be done to get the full security deposit returned.
The penalty for the bad faith retention of the security deposit by the landlord has been increased from $600 to twice the amount of the security deposit.
In other news, Robert Aronoff will be going to Cuba February 14 – 21 with a group of lawyers and judges to learn about the Cuban legal system and the potential for trade with Cuba in the future. Look for a report in the next legal update.
