New Lock Deduction

The answer to the question headlined “Repair Costs May Be Deducted From Rent” in the June 7 Apartment Life column did not mention a new California law that takes effect July 1 that will add locks on doors and windows (with some exceptions) to the list of requirements that an apartment must have and if not, the tenant can repair and deduct the cost.

The law was prompted by a legal case of a tenant family that was robbed, then evicted for failure to pay their full rent when they repaired and deducted for new door locks that the landlord didn’t provide on the apartment unit.

MARCIE GEFFNER

Los Angeles