Updated about 4 years ago on . Most recent reply
California tenant made unauthorized improvements to rental unit
Hi all. I have a single family home rental in California. I made my tenant an offer to buyout because I want to move into my house. However, because of the pandemic and Alameda County's eviction protections put in place after the California's moratorium was lifted, it seems I cannot do an owner move in eviction until "the state of local emergency is lifted" (whenever that is). Thus, I thought I would make her a buyout offer. However she was not interested, and even made a comment in the course of this conversation that she had invested a lot of money making improvements to my property. These were unbeknownst and unauthorized by me. And yes, the lease expressly states no improvements or alterations can be made to the property without written consent of the landlord. I then sent her a notice of an owner inspection to see said improvements. She had transformed the basement into an office with sheetrock, overhead lighting, installation of a closet, insulation, etc. I want to send her a notice to remove all improvements or face eviction (whenever the moratorium is lifted) in which she would not get a relocation payment (she would get a relocation payment with an owner move in eviction and of course if she accepted a buyout agreement). How much time do I have to give her to remove the alterations to my property? I do not want to leave as is, as she did not get permits, and I have no way of knowing if these alterations were made safely--there is electrical work afterall, etc. I thought I read somewhere 30 days, but I have also seen 3 day notices?
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I would be careful about possibly looking a gift horse in the mouth. Before you tear out these substantial-sounding improvements, why not have a licensed electrician look at the work and give you an opinion as to its safety and soundness? As you will be living on the property, any concern about securing retroactive permits for the work can be deferred until such time as you decide to sell or rent.