https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/california-tenant-rights-withhold-rent-repair-deduct.html
California tenants are legally entitled to rental property that meets basic structural, health, and safety standards, and is in good repair. If a landlord fails to take care of important maintenance (such as a leaky roof or a broken heater), tenants might have the legal right to:
- withhold rent
- pay for repairs themselves and deduct the cost from their rent ("repair and deduct")
- call state or local building health inspectors
- sue the landlord, or
- move out without notice.
Here's what you need to know if you're a California tenant hoping to withhold rent or have your landlord reimburse you for repairs you've made.
landlords are responsible by law for keeping tenants’ units safe and well-maintained. This is known as habitability. This includes things like providing safe and working plumbing, heating, electrical equipment, floors, and stairs; effective waterproofing; windows and doors with working locks; and keeping the property free from roaches, rats, and other vermin. (Civil Code § 1941.1.) Even if tenants knew that their unit was not up to these standards when they moved in, it is still the landlord's responsibility to make all units habitable.
