Real Estate Law

The “right of first refusal” is a clause in a real estate contract that landlords often see in their commercial contracts, although residential renters may also ask for this in their contracts if they particularly love the property they’re renting.  In essence, the...

New laws have been enacted in California over the past couple of years to help deal with the state’s serious shortage of affordable housing. These laws have eased the restrictions around accessible dwelling units (ADUs). This has allowed people to turn garages,...

A boundary dispute with your neighbor can break down the relations you have with them and lower the value of the land or property in question. Therefore, if you are in the middle of a boundary misunderstanding, it is important to find a way of resolving everything...

In most cases, people sublet the property to save on rent or make some money off the additional tenant. Subletting can take two forms. A tenant can move out of the apartment and hand it over to a third party without changing the details on the lease, or they could...

Your kids have wanted to have a treehouse for quite a while, so you finally decided to build one. You put it up over the weekend and thought nothing about the structure until your neighbor came over complaining that you put the house in their tree. You were surprised...

If you’re new to being a landlord in California (or anywhere), there’s a lot to learn. California has greater protections for tenants than many states do. Whether you’re renting your guesthouse or an entire home, it’s crucial to know your tenants’ rights – and your...

As a landlord, it's very important to know when you are legally obligated to repair the space that your tenant is renting. For residential properties, it is always important for landlords to keep the space in a safe and livable condition.  Landlords are also obligated...

If you own a property and are currently dealing with a boundary dispute, you may be concerned that you won’t be able to sell it. Legally, you can sell a property that has a boundary dispute, but you will need to disclose this information to the buyer. This may make it...

When you buy a home, you deserve to know exactly what you're buying. It's important for the seller and their agent to be honest with you about the property. If they lie to you and intentionally mislead you, that could cause you to spend money on a home you wouldn't...

Boundary disputes are common among property owners who neighbor each other. As a property owner, it is important to understand how to navigate a boundary dispute in order to resolve the matter amicably.  One of the best ways to start the process is by fully...