Q: I rent a house and landlord has an illegal unit in back he receives rent from in addition to what I pay. Is that ok?
My rent agreement indicates I rent the property known as 2115 Bautista Ave. Vista, CA. There is an illegal ADU behind the house I rent and he collects rent from it. No seperate address. Is that legal, Do I have any rights regarding it?
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- California
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
Your situation involves potentially serious code violations that could affect your tenancy and safety. Living in a property with an illegal ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) can create various issues, including improper utility usage, safety hazards, and zoning violations.
You have several rights in this situation. First, you can report the illegal unit to your local Vista Code Enforcement department, as unauthorized units often don't meet building safety standards. Your rental agreement for the entire property could give you rights regarding the illegal unit's presence, especially if it affects your use and enjoyment of the property or creates safety concerns.
Before taking action, consider documenting everything about the illegal unit and how it impacts you. You might want to consult with a tenant rights attorney or your local housing authority to understand your specific options. Remember that California law protects tenants from retaliation if they report code violations, so you cannot legally be evicted for bringing this issue to the authorities' attention.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
