For Sale By Owner – Do I Really Need An Attorney?

If you are considering selling your home without using a Real Estate Agent or Broker in order to save on commissions, there are three important things you need to know. First and foremost, you absolutely need the assistance of a real estate attorney to ensure the sale is done in compliance with all California laws. Real estate agents cannot give …

State Imposes New Recording Fee for Real Estate Documents

On September 29, 2017, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Senate Bill 2 which added section 27388.1 to the Government Code.  As of January 1, 2018, all county recorders in the State of California are required to impose a $75 fee to be paid at the time of recording for every real estate document being recorded, and for each parcel …

City Audits for Non Payment of Transient Occupancy Taxes

Over the last year, I have received an influx of calls from clients who are being audited by the City for failure to pay their transient occupancy taxes for short term rentals conducted in their property. Many of these clients are being audited for non-payment of taxes going back to 2007 which can amount to tens of thousands of dollars …

Companion Animals and Service Animals: What a Landlord Should Know

If a landlord or a homeowner association has a strict “no pet” policy in a lease or rules and regulations, what do you do when faced with a tenant or owner who makes a reasonable accommodation request to have a service dog or companion animal in the unit? The answer is you should consult an attorney to ensure your actions …

City Attorney Declares Short Term Rentals Not Permitted in San Diego

On March 15, 2017,San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott issued a memorandum of law declaring that short term vacation rentals in single family residences are not permitted under the Municipal Code. The basis for her position is that the City has a “permissive zoning ordinance” which means that if a particular use is not listed, it is not permitted. Currently …

Sharing Space by Ashley M. Peterson

Article Published in January 2017 edition of Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine To counteract the impact on long-term rental availability various jurisdictions are restricting the ability of homeowners and tenants to offer short-term vacation rentals. The concept of blindly renting a room, an apartment, or an entire house to a complete and utter stranger for a day, a week, a month …

Transient Occupancy Taxes – Do I Really Have to Pay Them?

Most cities in San Diego County, and throughout California, impose something called a “transient occupancy tax” (TOT) on “transients,” or persons who occupy a hotel, RV park, campsite or short term rental property for a period of less than 30 days. (**UPDATE: see blog post 6-10-19 for City of San Diego**) This TOT applies to short term vacation rentals under …

Real Property Protections for Military Families

On December 19, 2003, President Bush signed the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act into federal law (“Act”) which expanded legal protections for servicemembers and their families from civil court and administrative proceedings initiated during periods of active duty military service. 50 USC Title 50, Chapter 50. The protections under these laws extend to the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and …