California has a comprehensive set of laws to protect renters from bad landlords. A landlord who fails to substantially comply with the minimum standards under the law related to a dwelling unit is liable to a tenant for a breach of contract and for personal injuries, including emotional distress. Where the conduct is extreme, punitive damages can also be awarded. In many cases, a tenant that can establish that a landlord has failed to provide a habitable premise, may be entitled to recover attorney’s fees.

Below is a paper written by Attorney, Vic Otten of Otten law, PC in Torrance California that covers the various laws that protect the tenant and cites cases to illustrate breach of Implied Warranty of Habitability.

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