The essence of the Landlord-Tenant relationship is that of a contract. That contract may be written in the form of a lease or implied under State law. Each party has obligations to the other that must be fulfilled.
The Landlord must provide a housing unit that is safe, secure, and up to building code and must also respect the privacy and quiet enjoyment of the unit by the tenant.
The Tenant must pay the rent on time and maintain the premises in a sanitary and safe condition. They cannot create a public nuisance or engage in disruptive or illegal behaviors. If there are specific clauses in the written lease, the tenant must abide by them unless those clauses are in conflict with local, State, or Federal law.
Disputes between Landlords and Tenants must be resolved by prescribed legal means, not through unilateral actions. Any changes in the relationship between Landlord and Tenant must be in writing and comply with the law.
The purpose of the Fair Housing of Sonoma County (FHOSC) web site is to provide an overview of the laws, practices and procedures pertaining to the Landlord-Tenant relationship in Sonoma County, and to provide assistance and referrals to help housing providers and housing consumers to understand their rights and responsibilities under the law.
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