Los Angeles, CA asked in Landlord - Tenant for California

Q: What are my rights as a landlord to reclaim my garage from a tenant who has no right to it in the lease?

My tenant has no right to a garage in his lease. It is a detached garage in the back of the apartment unit. He is using a huge double garage for storage. He is not keeping an automobile in there. He is storing things like a hoarder. It may be a fire hazard. I want to know the following:

Do I have the right to “reclaim” the garage?

If he is using it for storage, not parking, and that is not permitted in his lease, is that an avenue? (Does he have a defense if he has had possession for 20 years? )

Do I have the right to inspect?

What if he is in violation? Who would I contact for the inspection? What notice must I give?

What is his opportunity to cure?

In LA County.

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1 Lawyer Answer
N. Munro Merrick
N. Munro Merrick
Answered
  • Del Mar, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: "You CANNOT be serious!!" 20 years??? You must have known about his use of the garage, so it is deemed to have been with your consent (= absence of protest). He is in violation of his lease, so treat him like a tenant -- give him 60 days to vacate the garage. If he does not remove his stuff, file an unlawful detainer action against him. If he is really stubborn, carry through and evict him from the house as well.

1 user found this answer helpful

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