CA landlord tenant laws, tenant's right to refund because of landlord misrepresentation

Thanks for using . I am an Staff Moderator. To read more about our moderation team, follow the link below. Our current question volume may increase the response times of our loyal lawyer-answerers. My goal is to give you some preliminary information and guidance regarding your legal situation while you wait for an attorney in your area to respond. http://www.attorneyqna.com/attorneys/98101-wa-avvo-moderator-1769851/aboutme.html Generally speaking, the concept you are raising relates to the Safe "habitability" of the premises which is always a question of fact. I have linked to an article that discusses it. Sometimes you just have to argue about what it means to you given the circumstances. You can make the argument to the landlord (preferably in a letter documenting your concerns) and then vacate the premises. If he holds on to your security or tries to sue you under the lease, your defense would be that the warranty of habitability was breached and you can show the court that you gave the landlord notice. There are no guarantees about the outcome. As for the cost of the paint you would need to establish an agreement between you and your landlord. Unless there was an agreement or a term in the lease that you would be reimbursed for painting it, I think it would be hard to argue that you should be compensated. I guess you could argue that the landlord benefited from it, but it seems to me you volunteered. Good luck.