For Landlords & Tenants · Glendale & Los Angeles County

Habitability & Repair Disputes

Habitability complaints can move fast — for landlords, responding correctly protects you from liability and retaliation claims; for tenants, understanding your options prevents a bad situation from getting worse. Attorney Hosep Yepremian represents both sides.

10+Years handling CA habitability matters
2Sides represented — landlords & tenants

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Is this you?

Situations we handle

•A tenant has filed or threatened a habitability complaint and you need a defensible response
•A tenant is withholding rent citing repair issues, and you need to know if that's valid
•You've received a formal repair demand letter and want to respond correctly
•A tenant claims retaliation after a lease action, and you need to document your position
•Your landlord isn't making repairs for mold, pests, plumbing, or heating issues
•You're a tenant considering repair-and-deduct and want to know your risk
What to expect

How we approach a habitability case

Case Review

We review the complaint, lease, and communication history from your side of the dispute.

Documentation

For landlords, we help build a paper trail showing timely, reasonable response. For tenants, we help document the unaddressed issue properly.

Formal Response

We prepare the appropriate notice, demand response, or legal filing.

Resolution

We work toward the outcome that protects your position, whether that's dismissal of a claim or a repair timeline.

Hosep Yepremian
Your attorney

Hosep Yepremian

Hosep Yepremian represents Glendale-area landlords defending against habitability claims and tenants pushing for repairs — giving him a practical read on how these disputes actually play out from both directions.

Licensed to Practice in California Landlord-Tenant Law Focus Eviction Defense Focus Based in Glendale, CA.

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Frequently asked questions

Habitability & Repair Questions We Hear Often

As a landlord, how do I protect myself from a habitability claim?
Respond to repair requests promptly and in writing, document every communication and repair completed, and avoid any action that could look retaliatory (rent increases or notices) soon after a complaint. Consistent documentation is your best defense.
Can a tenant legally withhold rent over repairs?
California allows rent withholding in limited circumstances, but tenants who do this incorrectly risk an eviction filing. If you're a landlord facing this, the validity of the withholding depends heavily on documentation and notice history.
What counts as retaliation against a tenant?
Actions like a rent increase, reduced services, or a notice to vacate taken shortly after a tenant complaint can be viewed as retaliatory under California law, regardless of the landlord's actual motive. Timing matters a great deal here.
What can a tenant do if repairs aren't made?
Options include formal written requests, repair-and-deduct remedies, or a habitability claim, depending on severity. An attorney can help choose the option least likely to trigger a dispute.
Client experiences

What clients say

""Helped me document my response to a habitability claim so it held up when it was challenged.""
— Glendale landlord
""Walked me through repair-and-deduct so I didn't accidentally give my landlord grounds to evict me.""
— Glendale tenant
""Caught that a notice I'd received right after a complaint looked retaliatory, and helped me push back.""
— Glendale tenant

Get ahead of a habitability dispute before it escalates.

Call now for a free review of your situation, whether you're defending a claim or dealing with unmet repairs.