HELP!! What is legal notice to end storage in parking spaces? (Pasadena: apartment, rental)

[MaryMary09]

California Property-
For at least 6 years tenants have been allowed to keep personal items in their parking area. There is no formal storage. This has been done by about 50-65% of the tenants with full knowledge of the apartment management.


On June 3rd, sometime between 2 pm and 5 pm, Xeroxed copies of a “Letter to tenants” back-dated to June 1st was placed on the doors of tenants who are storing items in their parking place. This letter said “we were found to be in violation of the fire codes”. To our knowledge, there has been no such inspection or finding on the part of the City of Pasadena or the Fire Dept. We were also told we have to move all our belongings permanently no later than July 1st. (This is 27 days from June 3rd) The letter states they are “sending a truck to haul away anything left behind at a charge of $150 to the tenant who occupies the space”.

Is this legal? They've allowed us to use out parking space for storage for over 6 years. Do we tenants have any recourse?
[RIGHT][/RIGHT]

[bouncethelight]

Originally Posted by MaryMary09

This letter said “we were found to be in violation of the fire codes”. To our knowledge, there has been no such inspection or finding on the part of the City of Pasadena or the Fire Dept.

Does it really matter if there was actually an official inspection or not? Even if they've been allowing it for six years, if it's a violation of the codes, then I would think they owe it their tenants to put a stop to it.

[MaryMary09]

Thanks for your repsonse - however, we're not sure it's its even a violation.

[Fontucky]

It doesn't have to be. If the owners want the stuff gone, it's gone.

[MIKEETC]

Originally Posted by MaryMary09

Thanks for your repsonse - however, we're not sure it's its even a violation.

Contact the city of Pasadena. If they cited the apartment management, there will be a record.

[plus, they should be able to tell you the specific sections of the code upon which the citations are based]

[MaryMary09]

Thanks for your responses

[Ceece]

Have things gotten out of hand in some of the spots? What might have started as a spot to store a bbq grill or some sporting equipment might have turned into a defacto storage shed/aka junk pile so what was once "ok" may no longer be. I've seen that happen before.

[CALGUY]

If you are on a moth to month rental, all notices of change in the rental agreement, written and oral must be given thirty days before being enacted.
If the storage matter is not written in your rental agreement, the landlord can add it at any time , again, with thirty days notice.
If you received a 27 days notice, legally that is not binding.
The law stipulates on a month to month rental, thirty days notice is required on all matters dealing with the rental agreement.
The landlord has, and had a duty to inform the city agency that cited him, he was not given ample warning as to the code violation, so that he could inform the tenants thirty days ahead of time.
As a tenant, you have a right to see the notice of code violation if it directly affects your tenancy.
If the notice was back dated, you , along with the rest of the tenants, need to inform the management that the notice was not given in a timely manner., and it would be up to the management to prove that the notices were given on the 1st, as the date indicates on the notice..
This can only be done with a copy of management's proof of service which is time, and date stamped.
If they can't, or won't provide the document of proof, then I would suggest contacting a tenant/landlord mediation board in your area, or bring the matter to an attorney.
Bob.

[steel7]

A parking area is for cars only.Thats why they are called parking areas. The owner or mgr most likely want to be in code with big brother (pasadena govt).