If the repair is yours to pay
Get more than one quote before you agree to a price, and ask the contractor to confirm where the property line and the public side begin.
Repair-request & landlord/tenant forms (LawDepot)Templates for a notice to repair, security-deposit demand, and more.
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Default rule and exceptions
Civil Code § 1941.1 makes a dwelling untenantable if it substantially lacks working plumbing/gas facilities in good working order, a water supply capable of producing hot and cold running water, and working heating facilities. Because these are habitability essentials, the landlord's duty to repair attaches to them and cannot be shifted to the tenant by lease.
Permit required: yes.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Property owner | ("Owner" here is the landlord/property owner.) Repair and maintain the enumerated habitability systems, plumbing, water supply, heat, weatherproofing, electrical, in good working order. |
| City / public agency | Not a public/municipal duty, this is landlord-vs-tenant. The tenant is responsible only for damage caused by the tenant's own neglect or abuse (Civ. Code § 1941.2), not for ordinary wear or system failure. |
| Exceptions | Damage caused by the tenant (or their guests) is the tenant's responsibility (Civ. Code §1941.2); The tenant must give the landlord notice of the defect |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Sep 11, 2026.
Plumbing or gas facilities that conformed to applicable law in effect at the time of installation, maintained in good working order... A water supply approved under applicable law... capable of producing hot and cold running water... Heating facilities that conformed with applicable law at the time of installation, maintained in good working order.
(1) Effective waterproofing and weather protection of roof and exterior walls, including unbroken windows and doors. ... (5) Electrical lighting, with wiring and electrical equipment that conformed with applicable law at the time of installation, maintained in good working order.
(4) Not to permit any person on the premises, with his permission, to willfully or wantonly destroy, deface, damage, impair or remove any part of the structure or dwelling unit or the facilities, equipment, or appurtenances thereto, nor himself do any such thing.
City rules rest on state law. Read California's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for landlord: tenant plumbing in Statewide, CA?
The property owner. ("Owner" here is the landlord/property owner.) Repair and maintain the enumerated habitability systems, plumbing, water supply, heat, weatherproofing, electrical, in good working order.
What does the city cover in Statewide, CA?
Not a public/municipal duty, this is landlord-vs-tenant. The tenant is responsible only for damage caused by the tenant's own neglect or abuse (Civ. Code § 1941.2), not for ordinary wear or system failure.
Do I need a permit to repair the sidewalk in Statewide, CA?
Yes. The rule on record requires a permit for sidewalk work in the public right-of-way.
Are there exceptions in Statewide, CA?
Damage caused by the tenant (or their guests) is the tenant's responsibility (Civ. Code §1941.2); The tenant must give the landlord notice of the defect
What is this based on for Statewide, CA?
This verdict is sourced to California Civil Code § 1941.1 and 4 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- California Civil Code § 1941.1statute · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-11
- California Civil Code § 1941 (landlord duty to repair)statute · research-cited · accessed 2026-09-11
- Cal. Civil Code § 1941.1: Untenantabilitystatute · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
- Cal. Civil Code § 1941.2: Tenant's affirmative obligationsstatute · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
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