Keep Compliant: Avoiding Habitability Claims

Keep Compliant: Avoiding Habitability Claims

Stay within the law! Join us for an important and entertaining presentation by our property management expert, Patti Widget, Founder of Widget’s Way and AAGLA Operational Advisor

Details

Date / Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Noon), on Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Register Today: Logged in Users Can Register Using the “Register Now” Button  

Cost: FREE to all AAGLA members

California law's implied warranty of habitability requires a landlord to keep the premises in a condition fit for the occupation of human beings. Landlords must substantially comply with housing and building codes and standards that materially affect a tenant's safety and health. Failure to do so can result in significant legal liability.

Tenant habitability claims arise when a landlord fails to maintain a rental property in a safe, sanitary, and livable condition, violating the "implied warranty of habitability." Tenants can pursue remedies like requesting repairs in writing, using the "repair and deduct" remedy, withholding rent, or filing lawsuits for damages (e.g., mold, lack of heat, vermin, structural issues). Have you ever received a habitability complaint from a tenant?

Ever wonder if you must address a tenant complaint or how long you have before you must address the issue? Do you have a constant complainer and have attempted to send back a scathing email (Don’t do it!)? Do you document how you address your tenant complaints, or are you wondering about best practices on how to do so? If you want to learn the answers to these and so many other questions, then this is the seminar for YOU. You absolutely must attend!

Our leading multifamily industry expert, Patti Widget, the founder of Widget’s Way again, joins us for another amazing presentation that will help YOU to survive and overcome the current crisis and help YOU to successfully transition out of whatever current crisis you find yourself in. PLEASE, join us for what will most certainly be an informative online seminar via ZOOM. 

During the webinar, we will also cover the following:

How long does a rental housing provider have to address an issue? What issues must you address and why?

What is the best way to respond to a tenant request or complaint? Learn Patti’s “FOGGING” techniques

What is considered an unlivable condition in California? What are the requirements for habitability?

What are uninhabitable conditions? Does your property have lead paint, mold, unsanitary conditions, improper ventilation, a gas or sewage leak, pest infestations, and bacteria causing illness such as Legionnaire's Disease?

Documentation, documentation, and more documentation. Protect yourself from liability by being able to prove how timely and well you’ve addressed maintenance and habitability issues.

And wait…there’s always so much more. YOUR questions will help lead the discussion. ASK Patti anything – she will address your questions for one full hour!

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 entertaining presentation by Patti Widget. 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.

Seminar Leader:  

Patti Widget, Property Management Expert, Widget’s Way
 
Patti “Widget” has nearly 25 years of experience as a regional property manager. Patti teaches a wide range of classes on property management topics; she is a keynote speaker on property management and housing issues and has published numerous articles for apartment associations. Patti is a repeat guest speaker at UCLA. She also holds various certifications in the industry related to her field, such as a CA licensed Real Estate Broker, CCRM, lead-based paint certified renovator from the EPA, Fair Housing, and more. During 2026, Patti joined the AAGLA team as an operational advisor.

Moderator: 

Daniel Yukelson, AAGLA Chief Executive and Executive Director

Daniel Yukelson is the Executive Director of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles (AAGLA). As a 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. Prior to joining AAGLA, he served as the Chief Financial Officer for Oasis West Realty, the owner of the Beverly Hilton Hotel and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, where he was involved in the planning, construction, and opening of the Waldorf Astoria. Prior to that, he was the Chief Financial Officer for 15-years of Premiere Radio Networks, the largest U.S. radio network. Yukelson also served as a Planning Commissioner for 6-years in the City of Beverly Hills.