PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS AS A TENANT
Tenants (renters) rights are powerful but may be easily lost by improper action. Merely because a law is on the books, does not mean that a tenant gets the automatic benefit of that law without any effort or action taken. Rights unprotected are invariably rights lost.
Many tenants are shocked to learn that they have lost valuable rights. Actually, this happens every day. When a tenant fails to act properly and promptly OR when a tenant does act but in an incorrect manner, the results can be very damaging and expensive.
To put things in perspective, there are many jobs available to people who are qualified to get them, but they must actually find and obtain those jobs. These opportunities exist but they are not automatic. We have the right to be successful and prosperous, but we must act to realize that right. You could own land that has a fortune in gold buried in it, but if you do not dig that hole, you will never see the riches waiting below. Many people do not act to get their rights and, as a consequence, never get the benefits of them.
The right to live in a safe dwelling, to be free from unlawful eviction, harassment, discrimination, retaliation etc., is available. However, action must be taken to protect and benefit from those rights. Without appropriate and timely action, those rights are often easily and forever lost.
PROTECT YOUR RENTERS RIGHTS!!
How do tenants find ways to get protection? Research, information, education and obtaining specific legal advice and assistance. There are many information resources and research sites on the Internet providing a wealth of free information. (e.g. Useful links). Government agencies publish helpful materials for the public use at little or no cost. Some self help books provide valuable insight but we do not recommend using a book to handle legal matters.
EVICTION is a serious matter. When faced with eviction, PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS and if served with Eviction court papers, you must DEFEND THAT CASE
USE ONLY THE OFFICIAL LEGAL AID OFFICE IN YOUR AREA
Tenants who qualify for free assistance may call LEGAL AID with confidence that if their case is accepted, they will receive quality legal representation at little or no cost. HOWEVER, TENANTS BEWARE that there are people who list themselves in the phone book as "Legal Aid" when they are not affiliated at all with the non-profit public Legal Aid Society office you are looking for. They are not attorneys and they charge high prices (which they want you to blindly deposit in their bank) for untrained unlicensed persons to fill out important forms via facsimile without regard to protecting your rights. (They do not even meet with you to review anything about your case.) They sell the idea of delaying the eviction but not fighting it or protecting your rights. Their "work" may create a small delay in the eviction process but you will pay greatly for this with a judgment against you and damaged credit when you may have been completely innocent or could have had a settlement arranged in the case that would have cleared your record. If you qualify, be sure to only seek help from the appropriate official non-profit public Legal Aid office, not one of these fake "Legal Aid" outfits.
UPDATE
Some tenants in Shasta County sued one of these "Legal Aid" outfits seeking damages and an injunction against any further such "business". The court ruled in favor of the tenants stating that the defendant had violated certain laws including the unauthorized practice of law and deceptive advertising. They advertised in the phone book as "Legal Aid". Brockey v Moore (2003) 107 Cal App 4th 86
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California law for San Diego is applied in these pages. Such laws may or may not be applicable in other jurisdictions. The information provided herein is of a general nature and is not intended to be taken as specific legal advice. For legal advice in a particular situation, promptly consult with an appropriate attorney.