Mold & Water Intrusion
Roof and plumbing leaks, chronic dampness, and black mold and other molds that trigger asthma and respiratory illness.
California Tenant & Habitability and Personal Injury Counsel
We represent people across California who have been harmed by landlords who ignore mold, pests, leaks and dangerous conditions.
We also represent people hurt by unsafe property and careless drivers. We hold them accountable for you.
No fee unless we recoverBilingual English / SpanishStatewide representation
Who We Are
Ironcrest Law Firm LLP: Focused Counsel for Tenants Living with Substandard Conditions
Every residential lease in California carries an implied warranty of habitability. Your landlord must keep the unit fit to live in, whether or not the lease says so, and you cannot sign that right away.
When repair requests go unanswered, we document the conditions, build the evidence, and pursue compensation for the rent you overpaid, the harm to your health, and the belongings you lost. You work directly with your attorney from the first call to the final check.
Where We Can Help You
If you have reported any of these to your landlord and nothing changed, or you were hurt because someone else was careless, you may have a claim.
Rodent Infestations
Rats and mice in walls, kitchens and storage areas that contaminate food and spread disease while the landlord fails to seal entry points and remove them.
Bug Infestations
Bed bugs, cockroaches and ant infestations that keep coming back because the landlord will not pay for professional, building-wide extermination.
No Heat or Hot Water
Broken heaters, failed water heaters and gas shut-offs that leave families without basic utilities.
Electrical Hazards
Exposed wiring, dead outlets, overloaded panels and fire risks that violate building codes.
Plumbing & Sewage
Backed-up sewage, broken toilets, makeshift sinks and burst water lines left unrepaired.
Structural Damage
Collapsing ceilings, torn-out walls, rotted floors, broken windows and doors that will not lock.
Lead Paint Exposure
Peeling paint in older buildings that poisons children. We pursue injury claims as well as rent claims.
Carbon Monoxide
Faulty heaters, blocked vents and missing detectors that put whole households at risk.
Retaliation & Harassment
Rent hikes, threats, utility shut-offs or eviction notices after you asked for repairs.
Premises Liability
Slips and falls, broken stairs and railings, poor lighting, negligent security and dog bites.
Personal Injury
Car accidents caused by distracted, speeding and drunk drivers, plus rideshare, bicycle, truck and pedestrian accidents, dog bites and uninsured-driver claims.
Personal Injury Specialists
The same team that takes on negligent landlords represents people injured on unsafe property and on California roads. We deal with the insurance companies so you can focus on getting better.
Premises Liability
Property owners must keep their premises reasonably safe. We handle injuries from slips and falls, broken stairs and railings, poor lighting and negligent security.
- Apartment buildings and common areas
- Stores, parking lots and businesses
- Lead and carbon monoxide exposure
Car Accidents
Rear-end, intersection and freeway collisions caused by distracted, speeding or impaired drivers, including rideshare and uninsured-motorist claims.
- Medical bills and future care
- Lost wages and vehicle damage
- Pain and suffering
Bicycle Accidents
Dooring, right hooks, unsafe passing and road hazards. California drivers must give cyclists at least three feet when passing (Vehicle Code § 21760).
- Collisions with cars and buses
- Defective lanes and potholes
- Hit-and-run claims
Truck Accidents
Big rigs, delivery vans and commercial vehicles. Several parties may share fault, including the driver, the trucking company and maintenance contractors, so we move fast to preserve logbooks and black-box data.
- Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
- Overloaded or poorly maintained trucks
- Catastrophic and wrongful-death claims
Uber & Lyft Accidents
Rideshare claims turn on what the driver's app was doing at the moment of the crash: offline, waiting for a ride, or carrying a passenger. During a trip, California requires $1 million in liability coverage. We identify every policy that applies and pursue the driver, the rideshare company's insurer and any other at-fault driver.
- Passengers, rideshare drivers and pedestrians
- Crashes with uninsured or hit-and-run drivers
- Screenshot the trip, photograph the scene, see a doctor
Dog Bites
California holds dog owners strictly liable for bites in public places or where the victim was lawfully present, even if the dog never bit anyone before (Civil Code § 3342). Landlords and property managers can also be responsible when they knew a tenant's dog was dangerous.
- Bites at homes, apartment complexes and parks
- Scarring, infection and reconstructive surgery
- Attacks on children and delivery workers
Pedestrian & Motorcycle Accidents
Pedestrians and motorcyclists have no protection in a crash, and insurers often try to shift the blame onto them. We gather video, witness statements and accident reconstruction to show what really happened.
- Crosswalk and parking-lot collisions
- Lane changes and left turns in front of riders
- Hit-and-run and uninsured-motorist claims
Wrongful Death & Serious Injuries
When negligence causes a death or a life-changing injury, families face medical bills, lost income and grief all at once. We pursue full compensation for future care, lost earnings and the loss of a loved one's companionship.
- Brain, spinal cord and burn injuries
- Wrongful-death claims for surviving family
- Other injuries caused by negligence
Most California injury claims must be filed within two years (Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1). Claims against a city, county or transit agency require a written claim within six months. Call us early.
What you can expect
How your case moves forward
Five stages, from your first call to resolution. You never pay anything upfront.
- 1
We Listen
A free conversation about your living conditions, your repair requests, and any photos or notices you have.
- 2
We Commit
If you have a case, we take it on contingency. We may inspect the unit in person or by video.
- 3
We Investigate
We gather code-enforcement and health-department reports, expert inspections, medical records and a timeline.
- 4
We Fight
We file the case and handle discovery, depositions and mediation, and we go to trial when needed.
- 5
We Deliver
We press for full compensation and keep you informed at every step until your case is resolved.
Compensation
What tenants may recover
Every case is different. Depending on the conditions, how long they lasted and how they affected your family, a habitability claim can include several kinds of damages.
Recovery depends on the facts of each case. Nothing on this page guarantees a particular result.
- Rent abatementA refund of rent paid for a unit that was worth less than its rent.
- Medical expensesTreatment for asthma, infections, bites, lead poisoning and other injuries.
- Relocation costsMoving and temporary housing when the unit was unlivable.
- Damaged propertyFurniture, clothing and belongings ruined by mold, pests or water.
- Lost incomeWages lost to illness, inspections or displacement.
- Emotional distressThe stress and disruption of living in dangerous conditions.
- Statutory & punitive damagesAvailable in some cases of willful neglect or retaliation.
- Attorney's feesMany tenant statutes require the landlord to pay your legal fees.
Our Team
Together, our attorneys and case managers bring more than 75 years of combined experience in California litigation. For decades our team has investigated claims, prepared cases for trial, and stood up to landlords, property owners and insurance companies on behalf of tenants and injured people who have been wronged.
What to Do Right Now
The steps you take in the first days make a real difference to your case. Start here, then call us.
If Your Landlord Won't Make Repairs
- Photograph and Date Everything. Take photos and video of mold, leaks, pests and damage, and keep taking them as things change.
- Ask for Repairs in Writing. Text, email or letter. Keep a copy of every request and every reply.
- Report to Code Enforcement and the Health Department. An inspection report is strong evidence and starts the clock on repairs.
- Keep Paying Rent Unless a Lawyer Advises Otherwise. Withholding rent the wrong way can lead to an eviction filing.
- Write Down How It Affects You, and See a Doctor If You Need To. Note illnesses, symptoms, ruined belongings and nights you couldn't stay home. Medical records document the harm.
If You've Been Injured
- Get Medical Care Right Away. Some injuries don't show symptoms for days, and your records document the harm.
- Photograph the Scene and Your Injuries. Vehicles, the hazard that caused a fall, the dog, and any visible injuries.
- Collect Names and Numbers. Other drivers, witnesses, the property owner, and any police report number.
- Report It. Notify the police, the property manager, or Uber or Lyft through the app.
- Don't Give a Recorded Statement to the Other Side's Insurer. Talk to us first. Early statements are often used to reduce what you receive.
Why Clients Choose Ironcrest
No Fee Unless We Recover
You pay nothing upfront. Our fee comes only from what we recover for you.
Bilingual From the First Call
We work with you in English or Spanish, without an interpreter in the middle.
You Talk to Your Lawyer
Your attorney knows your file and returns your calls. No call centers, no handoffs.
Every Case Prepared for Trial
Insurers and landlords pay fairly when they know we're ready to go to court.
Serving tenants statewide
- Los Angeles
- Orange County
- Inland Empire
- San Diego
- Bay Area
- Sacramento
- Fresno
- Bakersfield
Questions tenants ask
Frequently asked questions
What is the implied warranty of habitability?
It is a legal promise built into every California residential lease that the unit will be fit to live in. Civil Code § 1941.1 lists the basics, including weatherproofing, working plumbing, hot water, heat, safe electrical systems, and premises free of vermin and garbage. A lease cannot waive it.
Can I stop paying rent until repairs are made?
Withholding rent is risky and can lead to an eviction filing if it is not done correctly. California also allows "repair and deduct" in limited cases. Talk to an attorney before you change how you pay rent.
Can my landlord evict me for complaining?
No. Civil Code § 1942.5 protects tenants who complain in good faith about conditions. If you are current on rent, your landlord may not evict you, raise your rent or reduce services within 180 days because of your complaint.
Should I call code enforcement or the health department?
Often, yes. An inspector will visit, cite violations, and give the landlord a deadline to fix them. Those reports become strong evidence. Keep copies of every notice, and keep your own dated photos and repair requests.
How much does it cost to hire you?
Nothing upfront. We handle habitability cases on contingency, so our fee comes from the recovery. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney's fee.
Do I have to move out to bring a case?
No. Many clients stay in their homes while the case proceeds, and the law protects them from retaliation for doing so.
How long do I have to file?
Deadlines depend on the type of claim. Most injury claims must be filed within two years, and claims against a government agency need a written claim within six months. Contact us as soon as you can so evidence and deadlines are preserved.
¿Hablan español?
Sí. Our team serves clients in English and Spanish, from the first call through trial.
Start the conversation
Living with unsafe conditions, or hurt because someone was careless?
Tell us what happened. Consultations are free, and you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
Call844-IRON-LAW (844-476-6529)
Office700 South Flower Street, Suite 1000, Los Angeles, CA 90017