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Overview
Segal McCambridge represents landlords, property owners, and management companies in habitability litigation throughout the nation. Habitability law, which is a subset of real estate law that also incorporates negligence, intentional tort, and contracts law. Implied in every residential lease agreement is a warranty that a landlord will provide a dwelling unit that is fit for human occupation to its tenants. Habitability law at the Federal, State and Local level has undergone substantial changes in recent years, especially in the wake of recent laws enacted in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. These claims often involve multiple defendants and invoke numerous insurance policies, creating a complex defense landscape. In recent years, juries throughout the nation, and especially in California, have been known to award multimillion-dollar verdicts for tenant claims of sub-par apartment units. Navigating current legal trends and increased potential exposure at the state and municipal levels requires highly experienced and specialized attorneys.
Our attorneys possess the necessary knowledge and skills to defend landlords of all types in this ever-evolving area of law. Our cases range from small, single-unit litigation to complex matters involving dozens of units and plaintiffs in massive apartment complexes and mobile home parks. We also advise landlords regarding best procedures and practices to assist them in limiting future risk relating to their ownership and maintenance of their property or properties.
What We Do
Our attorneys defend landlords, property owners, and management companies in complex various habitability actions. We understand that these cases often involve multiple tenants, insurers, and defendants—creating a challenging and high-exposure litigation landscape.
We represent clients in claims involving:
- Violations of the implied warranty of habitability
- Substandard living conditions
- Water intrusion and toxic mold
- Pest and vermin infestations
- Lead paint exposure
- Other environmental or structural hazards
- Various Federal and State and local municipal code requirements in matters involving reasonable accommodation or harassment claims by members of protected classes
Our attorneys also handle companion claims such as retaliation, constructive eviction, emotional distress, negligence, and breach of contract.
In addition to litigation defense, we advise landlords and property managers on proactive compliance and maintenance practices to minimize future risk. Our team regularly assists clients in developing internal protocols for tenant communication, inspection, and repair documentation, all designed to prevent disputes before they escalate into costly lawsuits.
Clients trust our approach to be efficient, aggressive, and pragmatic. We tailor each defense strategy to the unique circumstances of the property and the client’s business objectives, whether resolving matters early through negotiation or taking cases to trial when necessary.
Who We Serve
We represent:
- Landlords
- Property owners
- Property management companies
Our clients range from individual owners to large-scale operators of apartment complexes and mobile home parks.
How We Do It
Our attorneys draw on deep experience and technical understanding of housing regulations to defend clients aggressively and efficiently. We partner with clients to assess risk, develop proactive defense strategies, and resolve disputes through litigation, mediation, or settlement when appropriate.
Our goal is to minimize exposure while delivering practical solutions and the best possible outcomes. Through clear communication and focused strategy, we ensure our clients receive responsive, results-driven representation in every matter.
