Rental Housing Advising Referrals
Our goal is to help you help yourself to solve your rental problems. We are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice.California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants and Landlords Rights and Responsibilities (PDF) by Consumer Affairs, State of California.
California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) office provides free legal advice for low income tenants. Many students qualify for their services. Their number is (831) 458-1089. They will ask you where the property is located, the amount of rent you pay, and how much money you make, and if you qualify, assign you an adviser.
Lawyers Referral provides an attorney familiar with tenant-landlord issues to landlords and tenants who do not qualify for CRLA ( $40.00 for the first 1/2 hour.) Any additional time is negotiated on a "sliding scale" based on your ability to pay. Their phone number is (831) 425-4755 lawyerreferralsantacruz.org/
Conflict Resolution Program offers mediation services. For low and medium incomes, fees can be negotiated on a “sliding scale.” Call (831) 475-6117 or view their web site.
Small Claims Court information and advice for Santa Cruz County is available. Learn about the process online and if you have additional questions you can call the Small Claims Advisor at (831) 786-7370. A self help guide " Small Claims Court, A Guide to its Practical Use "(PDF) by the Department of Consumer Affairs is also available to download.
Consumer Affairs, Santa Cruz division, has a tenant-landlord informational web site.
Nolo Press provides free landlord-tenant advice on their website.
Foreclosure Hotline for Tenants
Community Rentals Office Rental Forms and Resources page includes a section on Rental Laws and Agreements.
If you still cannot find the answer, or you feel you need to share your experience with us, use our advising form to communicate your situation. Rental Housing Advising is reserved for UCSC students, staff, faculty, and the landlords who rent to them.
For time-sensitive matters, or if your question regards breaking a lease, please contact the appropriate qualified professional directly. In the case of the latter, we advise you speak with an attorney. Local free and low-cost legal services and other resources are listed above:
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