Habitability Checklist
This list is a guide to help you identify all of the things that can affect habitability, based upon Civil Code §1941.1 and Health and Safety Code §17920.3. Due to the variety of circumstances which can arise in a given rental situation, all of the possible conditions can’t be listed, so you should use your own judgment to determine whether a particular condition you are concerned with is like one of those listed here. Plainly stated, just because it’s not on this list doesn’t mean it isn’t an uninhabitable one, particularly if it adversely affects living there.| Electrical Wall switches [all work?] Light fixtures [all work?] Exterior lights work For your exterior doors For stairways For garage/parking For common walkways Electrical outlets [all work?] Power Stable [or goes out?] No shocks from any part GFI [have reset button] plugs Around kitchen sink Around bathroom sink Fans all working ceiling [eg, bathroom] heater [eg, bathroom] above stove Switch/plug Cover plates None missing or broken Smoke alarms work properly Doorbell works well Security system works well Heating/Air Conditioning Appliances |
Plumbing Hot and cold water supplied Hot water heated enough Adequate water pressure For both hot and cold? To all faucets? To washing machines? No bursts Clean water Free of rust, discoloration Odor free No bad taste [eg, sewage] Adequate drainage No backups into sink/tub Fast drainage in all sinks in shower/bathtub Garbage disposal flows Bathtub drain closes fully Sink stoppers close fully Toilets fill and flush quickly No backups, overflows Flushing mechanism works Don’t leak at all From water line to wall At the base on the floor From cracks or joints Faucets on sinks and tub firmly placed and unbroken work easily on and off Completely stop [no drips] Leaky plumbing Faucets don’t leak when used [from stem] Onto or under counter Drains don’t leak under sink Dishwasher doesn’t leak Clothes washer doesn’t leak Hoses -hot and cold intake Drainage hose Machine itself Broken pipes in ceiling, wall Sewer/Septic system Works properly Adequately maintained No surface discharge, leaks No odor from any part No discharge under building Kitchen sink counter tiled, nonporous and cleanable |
Windows Adequate number of windows No cracks or broken glass No gaps in panes or windows Weather sealing [no drafts] Windows that open Open easily and don’t stick Stay open as needed Close completely and latch Ground floor windows lock All have window screens No holes or tears Frames unbent, unbroken Doors Solid in frame [not loose] All open without sticking All easily close securely All have working knobs All have working latches Exterior doors have deadbolts Weather stripping [no drafts] Threshhold is solid, unbroken No broken glass [exterior] Sliding glass doors Slide without effort Close and lock securely No tears or holes in screen Screen door secure in track Screen door latches closed No cracks or broken glass Screen doors on Exteriors Properly mounted Closing device works well Frame unbent and unbroken No holes or tears in screen Opens and closes properly Flooring No uncovered holes in floors No floor separating from wall No weak or loose floorboards No buckling or uneven floors No loose/chipped/missing tiles No loose/torn/missing linoleum No torn or loose carpeting No nails sticking up No exposed carpet tack strips Carpeting not mildewed, moldy, smelling of animal defecation or urine, or otherwise unsanitary |
Structure Ceilings all secure No holes, flaking, looseness No leaks, stains from leaks Not collapsing or soft Walls all secure No holes or gaps to outside No weak, damp or soft spots Protected surface near water Shower area waterproofed Adequate heat insulation Paint is not flaking or peeling, and is not lead-based Stairways and rails secure Earthquake retrofitting done No roof leaks from rain Weather-sealed walls [ie, dry] Sealed underground walls Unflooded basement areas Common Areas Working security gates, etc. Clean swimming pool Adequate exterior lighting Working intercom system Walkways with trip hazards Working, lit laundry room Adequate trash bins/pickup No trash/debris/junk Nuisances Health: Infestations of mice, rats, cockroaches, ants, spiders, termites, bees, wasps, hornets, flies, pigeons, mosquitos, etc. Mold, mildew, mushrooms in any interior part of the unit Unsanitary water, sewage Noxious fumes from sewer, chemicals, paints, neighbors Crime: "Drug trafficking" and "gang activity" are nuisances Assault, rape, molestation robbery, burglary, prostitution, etc. are arguably nuisances Noise: from construction, neighbors, roof-mounted AC system is arguably a nuisance Driveway blocking: is a nuisance [any ingress/egress] |