Habitability & Repair Obligations

Habitability & Repair Obligations: Know Your Responsibilities

Habitability Issues Can Result In Rent Reductions / Abatements and Litigation.

California juries continue handing down million-dollar awards in habitability lawsuits alleging an owner’s failure to adequately maintain ‘habitable’ properties. In some instances, faced with a potential lawsuit following receipt of a letter from a tenant lawyer, property owners try to avoid costly litigation by settling out of court for thousands of dollars, which may seem like extortion.

To make matters worse, insurance companies today have growing concerns about the spread of the habitability litigation trend, and they are adding exclusions to limit their risk. Brokers need to be aware of the impact habitability litigation and coverage restrictions can have on client property programs. To protect themselves, property owners need to take a proactive approach to maintenance of rental housing units and keep detailed records of that work. In addition, property owners need to be aware of the impact that potential litigation and coverage exclusions may have on property insurance policies.

Join us for this important update to learn the steps you need to take to steer clear of tenant habitability claims, and if you are served with a habitability claim lawsuit, learn the legal maneuvering and strategy you can deploy to seek coverage and avoid major liability. THIS IS A GREAT CHANCE TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF THIS IMPORTANT LEGAL STRATEGY FOR DEALING WITH ANY MOVE-IN OR MOVE-OUT PROCESS. YOU’LL ALSO GET ALL YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED AND, IT’S ALL FOR FREE! 

When: Thursday, May 14, 2026, from 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. (Noon)

How to Attend: Exclusively for AAGLA Members, Please Login to Register

During this webinar, we will cover:

• Implied warranty of habitability under California law, and what this means to you.
• The importance of responding to complaints, handling repairs within statutory timeframes, and documentation.
• Rights of tenants to deduct from or withhold rent payments for repairs and habitability concerns – what can you do about it?
• Major issues such as mold, pests, lead paint, and other hazardous conditions.
• And, as always, there will be much more! Your Q&A will help to lead the discussion.

This will be a live, interactive, online learning session.  Live Q&A will take place throughout the online seminar.  Please join us for what will surely be an extremely informative and timely presentation.  Please log in to register on our website at www.aagla.org/events.  If you have any questions, please contact Events Manager, Diana Alcaraz, via email at diana@aagla.org. We look forward to seeing you. 

WARNING:  THE INFORMATION PROVIDED DURING THIS WEBINAR IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. ABSOLUTELY NO LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE IS BEING GIVEN DURING THIS WEBINAR.  BEAR IN MIND THAT EVERY SITUATION IS UNIQUE, AND THE LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.  SO, BEFORE ACTING, BE SURE TO OBTAIN TAX AND/OR LEGAL ADVICE FROM YOUR LICENSED PROFESSIONAL.

About Our Legal Expert

Edrin Shamtob, Co-Founder And Senior Attorney, SNS Law Group Llp. 

Edrin Shamtob is the co-founder and senior attorney of SNS Law Group LLP with nearly a decade of experience specializing in commercial and residential evictions and unlawful detainer actions. Edrin has successfully litigated hundreds of cases for both plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of disputes, including eviction and landlord/tenant actions. As a seasoned trial lawyer, Edrin can successfully and effectively prosecute complex real estate, financial, and business actions and holds the knowledge and expertise to successfully navigate and prevail in multifaceted litigations. Edrin will help you exercise your landlord rights, stop losing money to your unwanted tenant, protect your valuable investment, and quickly process your eviction with care and dedication.

About Our Legal Expert

Bijan Shkibkoo, Co-Founder and Senior Attorney, SNS Law Group LLP.

Bijan Shakibkoo is a co-founder and senior attorney at SNS Law Group. His practice focuses on real estate and business law, where he represents clients with: landlord/tenant disputes, drafting and negotiating contracts, merger and acquisitions transactions, risk assessment and mitigation, partnership disputes, business formation, real estate development, formation/conflict resolution, leasing commercial/residential properties, commercial/residential transactions, and acquiring and selling real estate. Before co-creating SNS Law Group, Bijan found a passion for real estate management/development. For over 10 years, he obtained experience in managing over $100 million in assets. Bijan’s experience consisted of working with landlords, tenants/national tenants, developers, brokers, contractors, agents, escrow officers, engineers, and title companies. His prior experience and knowledge not only allow him to understand each client’s circumstances firsthand but also allows him to bring a competitive edge in the field of real estate/business law.

Our Moderator. 

Daniel Yukelson, AAGLA Executive Director. 

Daniel Yukelson is currently the Executive Director of The Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles (AAGLA).  As Certified Public Accountant, Yukelson began his career at Ernst & Young, the global accounting firm, and had served in senior financial roles principally as Chief Financial Officer for various public, private and start-up companies, including as Chief Financial Officer of Premiere Radio Networks, the largest U.S. radio network and now subsidiary of iHeart Media, and as Chief Financial Officer of Oasis West Realty, the owner of the Beverly Hilton and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.  He is a former planning commissioner in the City of Beverly Hills and had served as Chairperson.

Featured Sponsor:

 SNS Law Group LLP

 At SNS Law Group, LLP, we value our clients and ensure to provide quality legal services in real estate law. The attorneys at SNS Law Group have handled hundreds of real estate litigation cases and have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. Our real estate lawyers specialize in several different types of real estate conflicts, including eviction actions, landlord-tenant disputes, breach of commercial leases, purchase and sale agreements, investor fraud, construction claims, and more. SNS Law Group is attentive to our client's needs and we leverage our expertise and knowledge to analyze the specific details of your case and provide you with a comprehensive plan to achieve the best results. For more information, contact Edrin Shamtob, Senior Attorney, of SNS Law Group LLP at (424) 220-2052 or visit their website at www.SNSLawGroup.com.

Title Sponsor:

Trucordia

Trucordia specializes in Real Estate Insurance Services. Working with property owners, investors and managers to secure coverage even when traditional options fall short, their team understands the complexities of insuring multifamily and commercial properties in California and takes a consultative portfolio-focused approach to managing risk. With access to regional, national, and specialty insurance markets, Trucordia helps clients restore coverage, fill gaps, and protect their real estate investments in an uncertain insurance environment.

Don’t leave your assets exposed. Contact Joe Naworski to schedule a free consultation and explore your options at (415) 244-3774 or visit Trucordia.com for more details and to get your real estate insurance coverage back on track.