Property Management
A property manager discovers that a rental unit has a habitability defect (broken heating) and the owner refuses to make the repair. What remedy does California law give the tenant?
AThe tenant may immediately vacate and owe no future rent
BThe tenant may repair the defect and deduct the cost from rent, subject to statutory limits✓ Correct
CThe tenant must sue in Superior Court to force repairs
DThe tenant must notify the DRE before taking any action
Explanation
California Civil Code Section 1942 gives residential tenants the 'repair and deduct' remedy. A tenant may repair habitability defects and deduct the cost from rent, up to one month's rent, after giving the landlord reasonable notice and opportunity to repair. The remedy may be used no more than twice in any 12-month period.
Related California Property Management Questions
- In California, a month-to-month residential tenant who has lived in a property for more than one year must receive how much advance notice to terminate the tenancy?
- A net lease requires the tenant to pay:
- What is a 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit used for in California?
- In California, the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act restricts local governments from applying rent control to which type of residential property?
- A property manager collects rent on behalf of an owner. Under California law, within how many days after the close of the month must the manager provide the owner with an itemized accounting of funds received and disbursed?
- What is a gross lease?
- A property manager collects $5,000 in rents. Under California law, these funds must be:
- A property manager wants to raise rents for existing tenants in a unit subject to local rent control. What must the manager do first?
Practice More California Real Estate Questions
1,500+ questions covering all exam topics. Start free — no signup required.
Take the Free California Quiz →