Landlord Disclosures: What do Landlords Need to Tell Tenants?

Toxic Mold Levels

If a landlord knows (or has a reason to know) that the mold in the rental property exceeds permissible exposure limits or presents a health threat, they must give tenants a written disclosure of this information. The landlord must also disclose this to prospective tenants. Additionally, before they sign a lease, prospective tenants must be given an official State Department consumer handbook that describes the health risks associated with mold.

Payment of Utilities

Before a tenant signs a lease or rental agreement, the landlord must disclose to them whether electric or gas service to the tenant's unit serves other areas and the way that the costs will be allocated. Because the building having a single meter means that each tenant's use isn't individually monitored, this is important, so that the tenant's responsibility for the services and payments is agreed to in writing prior to move-in.

Presence of Lead Paint

For properties built prior to 1978, federal law mandates that a landlord has to tell a tenant if the unit that they're going to rent has any lead-based paint or lead-based paint hazards. The landlord must provide a pamphlet about the dangers of lead-based paint and information about the location of the paint; they must also attach a lead-warning statement to the lease.

Pest Control

If the landlord has used pest control services for the rental unit, they must give each new tenant a notice from the company that did the work. The notice must include the type of pest, the proposed pesticides and the active ingredients and other state law notices.

Tenants' Rights Concerning the Sale of the Property or Intent to Demolish

In the event of a sale of the property, San Francisco law requires that the buyer and the seller must provide written disclosure to tenants, that they can't be evicted, they can't have their rent increased, and the terms of their lease agreement can't be changed due to the sale.

Landlords who have applied for permits to demolish a rental unit must give prospective tenants written notice of this, prior to accepting screening fees or deposits.

Assert your Tenants' Rights to Landlord Disclosures  

Landlords are required to reveal certain facts to help protect tenants and would-be tenants. If you think that your rights to disclosure have been breached, no one is better in helping you assert them, than an experienced tenants' rights attorney. A skilled Wolford Wayne attorney can answer your questions and let you know where you stand. We are committed to preserving your rights as a tenant. To get more information, contact us as soon as possible.