San Mateo Landlord Rights and Duties

It is critical that you provide your tenants with an optimal housing experience. At the same time, your rental property should also meet the standards set by the state of California.

While you may perform the duties of a landlord religiously and impartially, you must also know that you are entitled to certain rights which every tenant is obligated to respect. Here are some of the duties you must abide by, and the rights you can exercise on your San Mateo rental investment property.

Landlord Duty – Adherence to Anti-Discrimination Law

Although you reserve the right to conduct a thorough process of screening and interviewing when finalizing your tenant, and accept or reject their application, your decision must be non-discriminatory in nature. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination in the sale rental and financing of housing based on race, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and family status. Failing to abide by this law might result in the filing of a discrimination lawsuit against you.

Landlord Duty – Provide habitable housing

San Mateo, California requires you to provide a livable rental premise to your tenant. You are obligated to look after the maintenance of your rental property. Any repair – major or minor, must be fixed promptly. You are also required to provide essential amenities like water heaters, electricity, water supply, etc. You should also ensure that your tenants’ privacy is respected.

Landlord Duty/Right – Charge rent/fine according to the state rent rules

The California state rent rules, as well as fines, should always be followed. You can’t charge your tenants a fine for minor delays or specious reasons. Similarly, the renter is also obligated to pay their rent to you on time, as discussed in the lease. However, if an occupant delays paying the rent too much, you can charge the fine, as per government rules. If you want to hike up your rent, make sure you comply with the required period of rent raises and inform the tenant accordingly.

Landlord Duty – Legalize the rental agreement

Even if your tenant is someone you know, a relative, or a family member, you must draft an official rental agreement or a lease. Since the document is legally binding, your renter becomes liable to pay you the monthly rent and the entire process of being a landlord gains a legal orientation.

Make sure you hold up your end of the lease; only then can you enforce it on the renter as well. A rental agreement that has been mutually agreed upon by both the landlord and the tenant helps in minimizing conflicts over the rental property.

Landlord Right – Procedural eviction in case of a bad tenant

In case your renter violates any terms of the lease, you reserve the right to evict the tenant. According to California state law, you can terminate the lease of occupants who are involved in illegal activities in or around your rental property. You have to allow a 30-day notice period before the actual eviction, as required by the law. This will ensure a fair process for both parties and prevent legal disputes.

Founded in 1982 in Marin County, Bayside Management has expanded to offer full-service San Mateo property management to the entire San Francisco Peninsula. We manage single-family properties, multi-unit complexes, commercial properties, and homeowner associations.

Bayside Property Management experts assist you in getting through the tedious legal processes. We help you in making informed decisions, so that your deals are not only profitable, but are also well within the framework of the law. Contact us to discuss your rental investment property queries.