Keep elevator inspections, certifications on the up and up

Question: My wife and I live in a multistory senior complex with elevators. They have not been inspected for quite a while and the inspection certificates are not current. What can we do?

Answer: The property owner is responsible for maintaining the elevators in your building. Contact him or her or the resident manager to request that the elevators be inspected and the certificates renewed.

If this does not happen, contact the Elevator, Ride and Tramway Unit of the state Department of Industrial Relations. This unit is responsible for inspecting elevators once a year. The local number is (714) 567-7212.

*

Can tenant host Bible classes?

Question: A tenant has sent me a letter stating that he will be conducting free Bible classes in his apartment three afternoons a week. This could be disruptive to the other tenants and might create a parking problem. Do I have to allow these classes?

Answer: Imagine that the word “Bible” had never entered the equation. If this tenant has some people visit his apartment three afternoons a week for a few hours, it won’t create a great disturbance; therefore, you should probably allow him to conduct the classes. In the future, if problems arise with parking, or if other tenants complain, you would be justified in asking the tenant to address those issues and if no improvement resulted to discontinue the classes.

But be aware that if you simply prohibit the tenant from conducting the classes because of their nature, then you would be denying him his right to religious freedom and would be in violation of both federal and state fair housing laws, which clearly prohibit such discrimination.

*

Landlord can opt not to swap locks

Question: I would like to have the locks on the front and back doors of my new apartment changed. The previous tenant did not return all the keys. But the manager says she is not authorized to install new locks. What can I do?

Answer: Landlords are not legally required to change the locks for new tenants. If you feel this may be a safety issue, give the manager or property owner a note stating your concerns. Perhaps he or she will install new locks. If not, you can replace the locks yourself, give the owner or manager a copy of the key and, when you move, take the new locks with you after replacing the current ones.

Civil Code 1941.3 requires that each exterior door, except sliding doors, be equipped with a deadbolt lock. If in place after July 1, 1998, this lock must be at least 13/16 of an inch long for each entry door and must be a thumb-turn model. Locks are also required on louvered and casement windows that are not equipped with their own locking mechanisms or are less than 12 feet above the ground or are less than 6 feet from a roof or other platform where entry could be achieved.

*

It’s illegal to bar unmarried couple

Question: I manage a large apartment complex and have renters who are getting a divorce but want to continue their tenancy. The owner says she does not allow unmarried couples to live in the complex. What should I do?

Answer: You must allow the couple to continue their tenancy, whether they are married or not. California fair housing laws prohibit discrimination based on marital status. This means that the property owner cannot legally enforce a policy of excluding unmarried couples, whether the policy was created for religious, moral, monetary or any other reasons.

*

This column is prepared by Project Sentinel, a rental housing mediation service. Questions may be sent to 1055 Sunnyvale-Saratoga Road, Suite 3, Sunnyvale, CA 94087. For housing discrimination questions, complaints or help, call the Southern California Housing Rights Center at (800) 477-5977.