LAND-LORD TENANT LAW 3
Under the implied law of habitability, the law directs the property owners to provide both
safe and decent units that promote the social and physical well-being of the tenants. The
standards set in the regulation include a house that has waterproof walls and roofs, effective
lighting and vermin proof. Addition under section 1921 and 1929 indicate that landlords must
ensure that the houses have secure locks, garbage collection facilities and mandates them to
make any minor repairs upon the tenant request (Titman & Twite, 2013). If the landlord fails to
make repairs in parts that have the capacity to result in the destruction of property or cause
adverse health effects, the tenant has the right to terminate the contract.
Conversely, the law requires tenants to be responsible while using the facilities to avoid
deliberate destructions. In the case of major repairs, the law does not hold them liable to cater for
the repairs. However, they may be required to incur expenditure for minor repairs that occur as a
result of negligence. When vacating the premises, tenants may also be required to forfeit their
deposits to cater for minor repairs and painting (Titman & Twite, 2013). According to Kendrick
and Kendrick (2015), a serious violation of the contract by the property owner may exempt the
tenant from paying rent for a particular period.
In Larry and Rodger’s case, there is a question of direct evasion of duties by the landlord.
Larry was aware of the leak in the house but failed to inform Rodger about it. In addition, he
failed to repair the roof immediately after Rodger alerted him. As stipulated in the Landlord and
Tenant Act, it was Larry’s duty to make minor repairs at his cost immediately after being alerted
by the tenant. He also acted against section 1942.5 of the civil code that prohibits property
owners from collecting rent from property that is in a serious breach of the signed contract. The
written notice that Rodger gave to Larry informing of the leak can be used as proof of ignorance
and failure to meet the responsibilities as outlined in the Act.