This form covers the subject matter described in the form's title for your State.This is a letter written by the Tenant to the Landlord explaining that the law generally provides that as Landlord he/she may regain possession of the leased premises in accordance with the terms of the lease by Tenant surrendering possession, or by appropriate court action, or based on Tenant's abandonment of the property. This letter is designed to put Landlord on notice that he/she is not permitted to use other illegal means to gain repossession of the premises.
Subject: Strongly Worded Letter to Landlord Regarding Unlawful Self-Help to Gain Possession — Urgent Attention Required Dear [Landlord's Name], I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to bring a serious matter to your immediate attention regarding your recent actions concerning my tenancy at [property address]. It has come to my attention that you have resorted to unlawful self-help methods to gain possession of the premises, which is both alarming and unacceptable. As a tenant, I am fully aware of my rights and responsibilities, as well as the legal obligations that you, as my landlord, must adhere to. It is with great disappointment that I must inform you that you have failed to fulfill your responsibilities, and, instead, have chosen an illegal course of action. My purpose in writing this letter is to formally document my concerns and demand that you immediately cease and desist from any further attempts to gain possession of the property through self-help methods, which are clearly in violation of California rental laws. To further clarify the severity of this issue, I want to draw your attention to the following key points: 1. Illegal Self-Help Methods: It has come to my attention that you have engaged in activities such as changing locks, removing my personal belongings, interfering with utilities, or any other action designed to intimidate or force me out of the property. These acts essentially deny me the peaceful enjoyment of the premises, which is my right as a tenant. 2. Violation of Tenant Rights: I want to remind you that, as a tenant, I have certain rights protected under California law, including but not limited to: — The right to privacy and undisturbed possession of the property, — The right to live in a habitable and safe environment, — The right to enjoy the full use and amenities of the rental premises, — The right to timely notice before any entry or alteration of the property, — The right to repairs and maintenance of the property, and — The right to not be subject to discriminatory or retaliatory actions. Your unlawful self-help actions infringe upon these well-established rights and warrant immediate rectification. 3. Legal Consequences: It is important to understand that your unlawful self-help actions can have severe legal implications. According to California Civil Code Section 1940.2, a tenant has the right to sue for damages and obtain injunctive relief in response to such actions. Pursuing these legal avenues may result in significant financial penalties and damage to your reputation as a landlord. In light of the aforementioned concerns, I kindly request the following actions to be taken immediately: 1. Cease and Desist: I demand that you immediately cease all self-help activities designed to gain possession of the premises. Any further unauthorized actions will not be tolerated and will be met with appropriate legal action. 2. Restoration of Property: I expect you to restore the property and its amenities to their original condition. This includes returning any personal belongings that may have been removed, repairing any damages inflicted, and ensuring that my right to privacy is respected moving forward. 3. Assurances of Compliance: I require written confirmation that you understand and will comply with your legal obligations as a landlord. This includes providing necessary repairs promptly, allowing reasonable access for inspections and repairs, not engaging in retaliatory behavior, and respecting my right to quiet enjoyment. Failure to address these concerns promptly and adequately will leave me with no choice but to pursue further legal remedies available to me under the law. I strongly urge you to reflect upon the gravity of this situation and take the necessary steps to rectify it immediately. My hope is that we can resolve this matter amicably and avoid any unnecessary legal proceedings. I look forward to receiving your response within [reasonable time-frame, e.g., 7 days] to confirm your understanding of the issue and provide a plan of action for its rectification. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. Yours sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] Note: This letter serves as a general template for a Modesto, California tenants to send to their landlord regarding the issue of unlawful self-help. It can be customized to suit individual circumstances and legal advice from a qualified attorney is recommended.
Para su conveniencia, debajo del texto en español le brindamos la versión completa de este formulario en inglés. For your convenience, the complete English version of this form is attached below the Spanish version.
