All landlords are legally required to offer livable or habitable premises when they originally rent a unit in California, and to maintain it in that condition throughout the rental term. According to state laws (Civil Code § 1941.1 and § 1941.3), at minimum every rental must have:
- – effective waterproofing and weather protection of roof and exterior walls, including unbroken windows and doors
- – functioning plumbing, heating, and electrical facilities, including hot and cold running water and a working toilet and kitchen sink
- – clean and sanitary building and grounds (that is, free of debris, filth, rubbish, garbage, rodents, and vermin), with adequate trash receptacles
- – well-maintained floors, stairways, and railings
- – deadbolt locks on certain doors and windows
- –no lead paint hazards, and
- –no nuisances, a catchall provision referring to something that is dangerous to human life, detrimental to health, or morally offensive and obnoxious, such as allowing drug dealing on the premises.
