Real Estate & Landlord/Tenant Law

Real estate is often the largest asset a business or family holds, and the rules that govern it in California are among the most detailed anywhere. Sila Law APC helps property owners, landlords, and tenants understand their rights and obligations, put clear agreements in writing, and resolve disputes when they arise. Our aim is to help you protect your investment and your relationships, whether you own a single storefront or manage a portfolio of units.

We serve clients across California, including many AAPI small-business owners and property holders who are building wealth through real estate. The landlord/tenant landscape here is shaped by state law and by local ordinances that vary city to city, and getting the details right matters.

Purchase, Sale & Transactions

The paperwork behind a property deal determines what you're actually buying or selling. We help you approach transactions with your interests clearly represented.

• Purchase and sale agreements — Reviewing and negotiating terms so you understand your commitments and protections.
• Transaction review — Looking closely at the documents and contingencies before you sign.
• Disclosures and due diligence — Helping you meet your obligations and understand what you're taking on.

Commercial & Residential Leases

A lease is a long-term relationship reduced to writing, and its terms govern years of your life or your business. We draft and review leases so they're clear, enforceable, and fair to the party we represent.

Lease Drafting & Review

• Commercial leases — Drafting and reviewing terms for rent, renewals, maintenance, improvements, and the many clauses that shape a tenancy.
• Residential leases — Preparing and reviewing agreements that comply with California's requirements for residential landlords and tenants.
• Renewals and amendments — Negotiating updated terms as circumstances change.

Understanding Your Obligations

California imposes specific duties on both sides of a lease. We help you understand what you owe and what you're owed, so surprises don't become disputes.

Landlord/Tenant Disputes

When a disagreement escalates, the process is governed by strict rules and short timelines. We help both landlords and tenants navigate these matters carefully and lawfully.

• Unlawful detainer — Guiding landlords through California's eviction process, which has specific notice and procedural requirements that must be followed precisely, and advising tenants who are facing an action.
• Security deposits — Addressing disputes over deductions, returns, and the itemized accounting California law requires.
• Habitability — Advising on the warranty of habitability, repair obligations, and disputes over the condition of a rental.
• Lease disputes — Working through disagreements over rent, use, maintenance, and the terms of the agreement itself.

Local Rent Ordinances & Compliance

Many California cities have their own rent stabilization and tenant protection ordinances that add requirements on top of state law — covering allowable rent increases, just-cause eviction rules, registration, and relocation assistance. We help owners and tenants understand which local rules apply to a given property and how to comply with them, so you're not caught off guard by an ordinance you didn't know existed.

Let's Talk

Whether you're drafting a lease, weighing a property purchase, or facing a dispute with a landlord or tenant, sound guidance early can save you considerable time and cost later. Reach out to Sila Law APC to schedule a consultation, and we'll help you understand your rights and your options and decide how to move forward.