Cal. Civ. Code § 250.514

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this act or law, and if the deceased tenant
is the sole tenant of the residential unit, the executor or administrator of the estate
of a tenant who dies during the term of a residential lease shall have the option
to terminate the lease upon fourteen days' written notice to the landlord on the later
of:
(1) the last day of the second calendar month that follows the calendar month in which
the tenant died; or
(2) upon surrender of the rental unit and removal of all of the tenant's personal property.
(b) Nothing under this section shall be construed to relieve the tenant's estate of liability
for rent money or any other debt incurred prior to the date of termination of the
lease, including damages to the premises and any expenses the landlord may incur as
a direct result of the tenant's death, except that the tenant's estate shall not be
liable for damages or any other penalty for breach or inadequate notice as a result
of terminating a lease under subsection (a).
(514 added Nov. 2, 2016, P.L.968, No.116)
Compiler's Note: Section 2 of Act 116 of 2016 provided that the addition of section 514 shall apply
to leases entered into or extended on or after the effective date of section 2.
ARTICLE V-A.
TENEMENT BUILDINGS AND MULTIPLE DWELLING PREMISES.
(Art. V-A added Dec. 10, 1974, P.L.825, No.274)
Section 501-A. Definitions.--As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in this section unless the context otherwise indicates:
(1) "Tenement building" any house or building, or portion thereof, which is intended or
designed to be occupied or leased for occupation, or actually occupied, as a home
or residence for three or more households living in separate apartments, and doing
their cooking upon the premises.
(2) "Apartment" a room or suite of two or more rooms, occupied or leased for occupation,
or intended or designed to be occupied, as a domicile.
(3) "Multiple dwelling premises" any area occupied by dwelling units, appurtenances thereto,
grounds and facilities which dwelling units are intended or designed to be occupied
or leased for occupation, or actually occupied, as individual homes or residences
for three or more households. "Multiple dwelling premises" shall include, interalia,
mobile home parks.
(501-A added Dec. 10, 1974, P.L.825, No.274)
Section 502-A. Landlord's Duties.--The retention of control of the stairways, passages, roadways
and other common facilities of a tenement building or multiple dwelling premises places
upon the landlord, or other possessor, the duty of reasonable care for safety in use.
This responsibility of the landlord extends not alone to the individual tenant, but
also to his family, servants and employees, business visitors, social guests, and
the like. Those who enter in the right of the tenant, even though under his mere license,
make a permissible use of the premises for which the common ways and facilities are
provided.
(502-A added Dec. 10, 1974, P.L.825, No.274)
Section 503-A. Tenant's Duties.--The tenant shall comply with all obligations imposed upon tenants
by applicable provisions of all municipal, county and Commonwealth codes, regulations,
ordinances, and statutes, and in particular, shall:
(1) Not permit any person on the premises with his permission to wilfully or wantonly
destroy, deface, damage, impair, or remove any part of the structure or dwelling unit,
or the facilities, equipment, or appurtenances thereto or used in common, nor himself
do any such thing.
(2) Not permit any person on the premises with his permission to wilfully or wantonly
disturb the peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other tenants and neighbors.
(503-A added Dec. 10, 1974, P.L.825, No.274)
Section 504-A. Tenant's Rights.--The tenant shall have a right to invite to his apartment or dwelling
unit such employees, business visitors, tradesmen, deliverymen, suppliers of goods
and services, and the like as he wishes so long as his obligations as a tenant under
this article are observed. The tenant also shall have right to invite to his apartment
or dwelling unit, for a reasonable period of time, such social guest, family or visitors
as he wishes so long as his obligations as a tenant under this article are observed.
These rights may not be waived by any provisions of a written rental agreement and
the landlord and/or owner may not charge any fee, service charge or additional rent
to the tenant for exercising his rights under this act.
It is the intent of this article to insure that the landlord may in no way restrict
the tenant's right to purchase goods, services and the like from a source of the tenant's
choosing and as a consequence any provision in a written agreement attempting to limit
this right shall be void and unenforceable in the courts of this Commonwealth.
(504-A added Dec. 10, 1974, P.L.825, No.274)
Section 505-A. Use of Illegal Drugs.--(a) The following acts relating to illegal drugs shall be a breach of condition of the
lease and shall be grounds for removal of the tenant from a single-family dwelling,
apartment, multiple dwelling premises or tenement building:
(1) The first conviction for an illegal sale, manufacture or distribution of any drug
in violation of the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as "The Controlled
Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act," on a single-family dwelling or any portion
of the multiple dwelling premises or tenement;
(2) The second violation of any of the provisions of "The Controlled Substance, Drug,
Device and Cosmetic Act" on a single-family dwelling or any portion of the multiple
dwelling premises or tenement;
(3) The seizure by law enforcement officials of any illegal drugs on the leased premises
in the single-family dwelling or multiple dwelling premises or tenement.
(b) Failure to remove any tenant for violation of any of the provisions of subsection
(a) shall not act as a waiver of the landlord's rights with regard to the same or
any other tenant relating to any subsequent acts.
(505-A added Dec. 20, 1990, P.L.1465, No.221)
ARTICLE V-B.
TENANTS' RIGHTS TO CABLE TELEVISION.
(Art. added Dec. 20, 1990, P.L.1465, No.221)
Section 501-B. Definitions.--As used in this article--
(1) "CATV system" or "cable television system" shall include a system or facility or part
thereof which consists of a set of transmission paths and associated signal generation,
reception, amplification and control equipment which is operated or intended to be
operated to perform the service of receiving and amplifying and distributing and redistributing
signals broadcast or transmitted by one or more television or radio stations or information
distribution service companies, including, but not limited to, the cable communications
system owner, operator or manager itself, to subscribers. The term shall include the
service of distributing any video, audio, digital, light or audio-video signals whether
broadcast or otherwise.
(2) "Holding a franchise" shall include obtaining municipal consent to or approval of
the construction or operation of a CATV system and the rendering of CATV services
whether granted by resolution, ordinance or written agreement. The term shall include
a person who has constructed and is operating a CATV system within the public right-of-way
of a municipality which, at the time of construction and initial operation of such
CATV system, did not require that municipal consent be obtained.
(3) "Landlord" shall include an individual or entity owning, controlling, leasing, operating
or managing multiple dwelling premises.
(4) "Multiple dwelling premises" shall include any area occupied by dwelling units, appurtenances
thereto, grounds and facilities, which dwelling units are intended or designed to
be occupied or leased for occupation, or actually occupied, as individual homes or
residences for three or more households. The term shall include mobile home parks.
(5) "Operator" shall include the operator of a CATV system holding a franchise granted
by the municipality or municipalities in which the multiple dwelling premises to be
served is located.
(501-B added Dec. 20, 1990, P.L.1465, No.221)
Section 502-B. Tenants Protected.--A landlord may not discriminate in rental or other charges between
tenants who subscribe to the services of a CATV system and those who do not. The landlord
may, however, require reasonable compensation in exchange for a permanent taking of
his property resulting from the installation of CATV system facilities within and
upon his multiple dwelling premises, to be paid by an operator. The compensation shall
be determined in accordance with this article.
(502-B added Dec. 20, 1990, P.L.1465, No.221)
Section 503-B. Tenants' Rights.--The tenant has the right to request and receive CATV
services from an operator or a landlord provided that there has been an agreement
between a landlord and an operator through the negotiation process outlined in section
504-B or through a ruling of an arbitrator as provided for in this article. A landlord
may not prohibit or otherwise prevent a tenant from requesting or acquiring CATV services
from an operator of the tenant's choice provided that there has been an agreement
between a landlord and an operator through the negotiation process outlined in section
504-B or through a ruling of an arbitrator as provided for in this article. A landlord
may not prevent an operator from entering such premises for the purposes of constructing,
reconstructing, installing, servicing or repairing CATV system facilities or maintaining
CATV services if a tenant of a multiple dwelling premises has requested such CATV
services and if the operator complies with this article. The operator shall retain
ownership of all wiring and equipment used in any installation or upgrade of a CATV
system in multiple dwelling premises. An operator shall not provide CATV service to
an individual dwelling unit unless permission has been given by or received from the
tenant occupying the unit.
(503-B added Dec. 20, 1990, P.L.1465, No.221)
Section 504-B. Right to Render Services; Notice.--If a tenant of a multiple dwelling premises requests
an operator to provide CATV services and if the operator decides that it will provide
such services, the operator shall so notify the landlord in writing within ten days
after the operator decides to provide such service. If the operator fails to provide
such notice, then the tenant's request shall be terminated. If the operator agrees
to provide said CATV services, then a forty-five day period of negotiation between
the landlord and the operator shall be commenced. This original notice shall state
as follows: "The landlord, tenants and operators have rights granted under Article
V-B of the act of April 6, 1951 (P.L.69, No.20), known as 'The Landlord and Tenant
Act of 1951.'" The original notice shall be accompanied by a proposal outlining the
nature of the work to be performed and including an offer of compensation for loss
in value of property given in exchange for the permanent installation of CATV system
facilities. The proposal also shall include a statement that the operator is liable
to the landlord for any physical damage, shall set forth the means by which the operator
will comply with the installation requirements of the landlord pursuant to section
505-B and shall state the time period for installation and security to be provided.
The landlord may waive his right to security at any time in the negotiation process.
During the forty-five day period, the landlord and the operator will attempt to reach
an agreement concerning the terms upon which CATV services shall be provided. If,
within the forty-five day period or at any time thereafter, the proposal results in
an agreement between the landlord and the operator, CATV services shall be provided
in accordance with the agreement. If, at the end of the forty-five day period, the
proposal does not result in an agreement between the landlord and the operator, then
this article shall apply. The right of a tenant to receive CATV service from an operator
of his choice may not be delayed beyond the forty-five day period contained in the
original notice or otherwise impaired unless the matter proceeds to arbitration or
court as provided in this article. An operator may bring a civil action to enforce
the right of CATV services installation given under this article.
(504-B added Dec. 20, 1990, P.L.1465, No.221)
Section 505-B. Compensation for Physical Damage.--An operator shall be liable to the landlord for
any physical damage caused by the installation, operation or removal of CATV system
facilities. A landlord may require that the installation of cable television facilities
conform to such reasonable conditions as are necessary to protect the safety, functioning
and appearance of the premises and the convenience and well-being of tenants. A landlord
may also require that the installation of cable television facilities conforms to
reasonable requirements as to the location of main cable connections to the premises,
the routing of cable lines through the premises and the overall appearance of the
finished installation. To the extent possible, the location of the entry of a main
cable connection to the premises shall be made at the same location as the entry into
the premises of public utility connections. A second or subsequent installation of
cable television facilities, if any, shall conform to such reasonable requirements
in such a way as to minimize further physical intrusion to or through the premises.
(505-B added Dec. 20, 1990, P.L.1465, No.221)
Section 506-B. Compensation for Loss of Value.--(a) A landlord shall be entitled to just compensation from the operator resulting from
loss in value of property resulting from the permanent installation of CATV system
facilities on the premises.
(b) If a landlord believes that the loss in value of the property exceeds the compensation
contained in the proposal accompanying the original notice or believes that the terms
involving the work to be performed contained in the proposal are unreasonable, or
both, the issue of just compensation or reasonableness of terms shall be determined
in accordance with the following procedure:
(1) At any time prior to the end of the forty-five day period from the date when the landlord
receives the original notice that the operator intends to construct or install a CATV
system facility in multiple dwelling premises, the landlord shall serve upon the operator
written notice that the landlord demands a greater amount of compensation or believes
that the terms involving the work to be performed are unreasonable.
(2) If the operator is dissatisfied with the result of the negotiations at the conclusion
of the forty-five day negotiation period, then he shall notify the landlord of the
terms which the operator believes to be unreasonable and shall accompany this notice
with a formal request for arbitration.
(3) Arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures of the
American Arbitration Association or any successor thereto. The proceedings shall be
held in the county in which the multiple dwelling premises or part thereof are located.
Requirements of this act relating to time, presumptions and compensation for loss
of value shall apply in the proceedings. The cost of the proceedings shall be shared
equally by the landlord and the operator. The arbitration proceedings, once commenced,
shall be concluded and a written decision by the arbitrator shall be rendered within
fourteen days of commencement. Judgment upon any award may be entered in any court
having jurisdiction.
(4) Within thirty days of the date of the notice of the decision of the arbitrators, either
party may appeal the decision of the arbitrators in a court of common pleas, regarding
the amount awarded as compensation for loss of value or for physical damages to the
property. During the pendency of an appeal, the operator may not enter the multiple
dwelling premises to provide CATV services, except as to those units that have existing
CATV services. The court shall order each party to pay one-half of the arbitration
costs.
(c) In determining reasonable compensation, evidence that a landlord has a specific alternative
use for the space occupied or to be occupied by CATV system facilities, the loss of
which will result in a monetary loss to the owner, or that installation of CATV system
facilities upon such multiple dwelling premises will otherwise substantially interfere
with the use and occupancy of such premises to an extent which causes a decrease in
the resale or rental value thereof shall be considered. In determining the damages
to any landlord in an action under this section, compensation shall be measured by
the loss in value of the landlord's property. An amount representing increase in value
of the property occurring by reason of the installation of CATV system facilities
shall be deducted from the compensation.
(d) The time periods set forth in this section may be extended by mutual agreement between
the landlord and the operator.
(506-B added Dec. 20, 1990, P.L.1465, No.221)
Section 507-B. Venue.--The court of common pleas of the county in which the multiple dwelling premises
or part thereof is located shall have venue of all actions to enforce the provisions
of this article or to hear any appeal from the award of arbitrators or any dispute
between the parties.
(507-B added Dec. 20, 1990, P.L.1465, No.221)
Section 508-B. Alternative Service.--Nothing in this act shall preclude a landlord from offering
alternative CATV services to tenants provided that the provisions of this article
are not violated.
(508-B added Dec. 20, 1990, P.L.1465, No.221)
Section 509-B. Compliance with Requirements for Historical Buildings.--The operator shall comply
with all Federal, State or local statutes, rules, regulations or ordinances with respect
to buildings located in historical districts.
(509-B added Dec. 20, 1990, P.L.1465, No.221)
Section 510-B. Existing CATV Services Protected.--CATV services being provided to tenants in multiple
dwelling premises on the effective date of this act may not be prohibited or otherwise
prevented so long as the tenant in an individual dwelling unit continues to request
such services.
(510-B added Dec. 20, 1990, P.L.1465, No.221)
ARTICLE VI.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.
(Art. hdg. amended July 17, 2024, P.L.944, No.88)