California · Habitability Protocol

Plumbing, the right way.

A leak, a backup, no hot water. Under Civil Code §1941.1, working plumbing isn't optional and can't be waived by lease. Work the four questions to size your duty and your deadline before you dispatch anyone.

How severe is it?

Severity sets your clock. "Reasonable time" stretches for a slow drain and collapses to hours for a sewage backup or no running water.

Total loss / emergencyNo running water, no working toilet, sewage backup, active flooding Substantial impairmentNo hot water, persistent leak, the only bathroom is out Minor / cosmeticSlow drain, dripping faucet, running toilet — no health or safety impact

Have you received notice?

Your repair duty runs from notice. A code enforcement citation is its own category — it starts a hard statutory clock.

Written request from the tenantText, email, or maintenance ticket — dated Verbal report onlyPhone call or in-person mention Cited by a code officer (LAHD/SCEP)Notice of violation issued, or found during inspection

What's the cause?

You must restore habitability either way — that can't be waived. Cause only decides who ultimately pays.

Building / systemPipe failure, water heater, sewer line, fixture wear, slab leak Tenant-causedClog from misuse, damage, or neglect (§1929 / §1941.2) Not yet diagnosedNeeds a plumber to locate the source

Any unit sensitivities?

RSO status, a vulnerable occupant, or an existing citation raises both the urgency and the cost of getting it wrong.

RSO unit and/or vulnerable occupantRent-stabilized, elderly, disabled, or medically fragile tenant Standard market unit, no special factorsNo vulnerable occupant on record