Landlord Responsibilities for Repairs in California

As a tenant in a rental unit in California you have the right to a home that meets the standards outlined in the state’s warranty of habitability. This includes the basic requirements that apply nationwide: heat, hot water, and unbroken windows and doors. California landlords and tenants benefit from more specific legal guidance to help them understand what a landlord is required to repair. Here's the full list:

• Waterproofed and weather-protected roof and exterior walls
• Unbroken doors and windows
• Plumbing or gas facilities in good working order
• A water supply that produces hot and cold running water and is connected to a sewage disposal system
• Heating facilities in good working order
• Electrical lighting with proper wiring
• A building and grounds that are free of garbage and pests
• An adequate number of garbage cans in good condition
• Well-maintained floors, stairways, and railings
• A locking mail receptacle for each unit in all "residential hotels" (that is, buildings with six or more guestrooms

If your landlord is in any way violating the warranty, then you should ask them to fix it.

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