Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Landlord put a padlock on my apartment door because I was 3 months late on rent due to loss of work. But he was getting some cash from me to stay but not the total rent. He did not go to court he just put the lock and me and my 3 kids were on the street. Also I found out he was raising my rent and overcharging me for 3 years because the apt was under rent control in los angeles. If I sue him I am worried that the amount I should win will not be the judgment because if I owe 3 months back rent it will be equal to what i owe the landlord and so it will not be worth fighting. But then it is like the landlord can get away with locking out a tenant as long as the tenant owes enough back rent to make what the landlord will lose the same as what the tenant owes. My question is is there any way I can win enough money to make it more than I owe the landlord so the landlord will be punished for locking families out.


Asked on 1/30/10, 12:03 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Robert F. Cohen Law Office of Robert F. Cohen

Find a lawyer in your area who will handle the case on contingency. You might also find a tenants' rights group in Los Angeles who might assist you without charge. You might be entitled to penalties and attorney's fees (if you have a written agreement) because from what you describe, what the landlord did was unlawful. Self-help is not permitted. The court eventually might not assess back rent because of the outrageous nature of the landlord's conduct.

Read more
Answered on 2/04/10, 1:54 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Landlord & Tenants questions and answers in California