Seldom-Seen Combo: ‘Free’ and ‘Real Estate’
The state Department of Consumer Affairs offers a variety of useful booklets and fact sheets of interest to homeowners and renters.
Unless otherwise specified, the publications may be ordered by writing to DCA Publications, P.O. Box 310, Sacramento, CA 95802, or by calling (916) 323-7239 or the Consumer Information Center at (800) 952-5210.
Materials are free, unless noted.
CONSTRUCTION & HOME IMPROVEMENT
* “When You Decide to Improve Your Home.” Fact sheet.
* “What You Should Know Before You Hire a Contractor” (English, Spanish). A 32-page booklet. Contractors State License Board, 9835 Goethe Road, Sacramento, CA 95827; (800) 321-2752.
* “A Consumer’s Guide to Asbestos.” Contractors State License Board, 9835 Goethe Road, Sacramento, CA 95827; (800) 321-2752.
* “A Consumer Guide to Filing Construction Complaints.” Contractors State License Board, 9835 Goethe Road, Sacramento, CA 95827; (800) 321-2752.
* “A Consumer’s Guide to Hiring an Architect.” Board of Architectural Examiners, 400 R St., Suite 4000, Sacramento, CA 95814-6238; (916) 445-3393.
* “Blueprint for Becoming a California Licensed Contractor.” Contractors State License Board, 9835 Goethe Road, Sacramento, CA 95827; (800) 321-2752.
* “Consumer’s Guide to Hiring a Landscape Architect.” Board of Landscape Architects, 400 R St., Suite 4020, Sacramento, CA 95814-6200; (916) 445-4594.
* “Mandatory Arbitration Program Guide.” Contractors State License Board, 9835 Goethe Road, Sacramento, CA 95827; (800) 321-2752.
* “Voluntary Arbitration Program Guide.” Contractors State License Board, 9835 Goethe Road, Sacramento, CA 95827; (800) 321-2752.
ENGINEERING-GEOLOGY
* “Consumer Guide to Geological and Geophysical Services.” Board of Registration for Geologists and Geophysicists, 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, No. 300A, Sacramento, CA 95833; (916) 263-2113.
* “Consumer Guide to Professional Engineering and Professional Land Surveyors.” Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, No. 300, Sacramento, CA 95833; (916) 263-2230.
HOME FURNISHINGS
* “Don’t Remove the Tag Under Penalty of Law.”
* “Know What They Mean--A Consumer’s Guide to Home Furnishing Advertising.”
* “What You Should Know Before You Buy a Renovated Mattress.” Fact sheet.
LANDLORD-TENANT
* “California Tenants--Your Rights and Responsibilities.” (Spanish, Vietnamese; English not available.)
* “Damaged or Destroyed Residential Rental Units.” A fact sheet for landlords and tenants.
* “Habitability and Repairs.” Outline of landlords’ and tenants’ responsibilities under the California Civil Code.
* “How Often Can Landlord Raise Rent?”
* “How to Get Back Possessions You Have Left in a Rental Unit.”
* “When Tenant’s Personal Property Has Been Left in the Rental Unit.” Options for the landlord.
* “Rental Housing and Repairs.” Who’s responsible for what and how to get repairs made.
* “Security Deposits.” A tenant’s rights and responsibilities.
* “Evictions.”
* “Residential Rent Increases.”
* “Ending a Residential Tenancy.”
NATURAL DISASTERS
* “Earthquake Victims.” Contractors State License Board, 9835 Goethe Road, Sacramento, CA 95827; (800) 321-2752.
* “Fires, Floods and Droughts.” Board of Landscape Architects, 400 R Street, Suite 4020, Sacramento, CA 95814-6200; (916) 445-4594.
* “Flood Victims.” Contractors State License Board, 9835 Goethe Road, Sacramento, CA 95827; (800) 321-2752.
PEST CONTROL
The following publications are available free from the Structural Pest Control Board, 1422 Howe Ave., Suite 3, Sacramento, CA 95825-3280, or call (800) 737-8188.
* “Q&A;’s--Fumigation for Pest Control.”
* “Q&A;’s--Household Pest Control.”
* “Q&A;’s--Structural Pest Control Inspections.”
* “Termites.” Fact sheet.
SMALL CLAIMS COURT
* “Using Small Claims Court: A Handbook for Plaintiffs and Defendants.” For a free copy, send a self-addressed, stamped, 7-by-10-inch envelope to Using Small Claims Court, P.O. Box 310, Sacramento, CA 95802.
* “Collecting Your Small Claims Judgment.” Send a $7.90 check or money order (payable to Procurement Publications) to Department of General Services, Documents and Publications, P.O. Box 1015, North Highlands, CA 95660. Refer to the title and Stock No. 7540-957-1301-0.
