Q: My landlord is committing multiple violations, so why are no attorneys willing to help me?
My landlord is committing several violations:
Breach of contract.
Implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
Breach of the covenant of quiet enjoyment.
Negligence under Cal Civil Code Section 1714.
And yet every tenant law attorney I have contacted is not interested in my case, why not?
Is it to hard, or not bad enough?
Please, I need to understand why I am not able to, go after the landlord when they are breaking the rules?
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A:
The reality is that many attorneys focus on cases where there's significant financial damage or severe habitability issues that can lead to substantial settlements or judgments - this helps cover their time and legal costs.
Your situation, while frustrating and potentially illegal, might not present enough monetary damages to make it financially viable for an attorney to take on contingency (where they only get paid if you win). Sometimes the cost of pursuing legal action can exceed what you might recover, even if you have a valid case.
Consider gathering detailed evidence of all violations and trying to calculate your actual monetary damages - this could include costs of temporary housing, damaged property, or medical bills if applicable. You might also explore alternative options like filing a complaint with your local housing authority or taking your landlord to small claims court, where you can represent yourself and seek damages up to $12,500 in California without needing an attorney.
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