What We Offer

We provide numerous services including: Information on tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities. Mediation: We provide mediation as an alternative to resolve housing issues for tenants, property management, and owners. This service is free of charge and is provided in an attempt to avoid the costly court system. Seminars: Seminars are provided as an educational outreach to the private and public sectors of the community. Our office strives to deter all forms of discrimination practices within the housing industry to affirmatively further fair housing. We also provide information on tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities within San Joaquin County.

Landlord's Responsibilities

*Roof and walls must not leak. *Doors and windows are not broken. *Plumbing and gas facilities are maintained and in order. *Sufficient hot and cold water. *Sewer or approved septic systems must work properly. *Heater works properly and safely. *Lighting and wiring works properly and safely. *Floors,stairways,and railings are maintained in a safe manner. *Sufficient trash cans/bins with covers provided for trash. *Unit is clean, sanitary, and free of trash, debris, rodents when the tenant moves in. *A working smoke alarm. *Provide one working phone jack. *A working toilet, wash basin, and bathtub or shower. *A kitchen with a sink. *Natural lighting in everyroom through windows or skylights that are able to open for ventilation. *Main entry doors must have operable deadbolt locks, and windows must have operable locking or security devices. If repairs are promised, they should be put in WRITING and both the tenant and landlord should keep a copy.

Tenant's Responsibilities

The tenant is responsible for the following: *To keep the unit clean and sanitary *To take out the trash and dispose of it properly inside containers which the landlord must provide. *To use the electrical, gas, and plumbing fixtures/appliances correctly and keep them clean. *Not to destroy, deface, or damage the rental unit and to prevent others, including your guests, from doing so. *To make use of the unit only for the proposes for which they were designed or intended. *To replace smoke detector batteries when needed and notify the owner of any defect and malfunction immediately. ALWAYS READ THE RENTAL CONTRACT BEFORE SIGNING. Before moving into a unit a tenant should carefully check it out, especially any appliances, BEFORE giving the landlord any money. All repairs should be made before any money changes hands. The landlord and tenant should each make a list of exsisting defects shortly after the tenant moves in, and they should exchange these lists with each other within one week. No repairs or alterations should be completed without written consent from the owner.