Tenant Legal & Dispute Resources

California resources for tenants who need help resolving tobacco-related disputes

ChangeLab Solutions is funded to develop resources to support development of laws and policies that address tobacco related issues. We cannot provide legal advice or enter into attorney-client relationships, however.

This directory provides resources for tenants in the state of California who are affected by secondhand smoke and who need help resolving a dispute with their landlord or another tenant. Resources can be filtered by city and/or by selecting one of the tenant resource types described below:

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Programs: For a nominal fee, an ADR program can arrange mediation sessions between disputing parties, during which all have the opportunity to state their side of the issue with the goal of reaching a mutually satisfying resolution. A trained mediator facilitates the process.
  • Housing and Tenant Rights Advocacy Organizations: These local organizations offer a range of services to help resolve housing-related issues. Services are provided primarily for low-income tenants at no or low cost, and may include services such as mediation and making phone calls and writing letters on the client’s behalf. These agencies tend to be overwhelmed with requests from renters with eviction disputes and may have limited capacity to advocate in secondhand smoke matters. Individuals may need to have a disability and/or income below a certain amount to qualify for services.
  • Certified Lawyer Referral Services: For a nominal fee, these referral agencies (affiliated with local chapters of the State Bar of California) can arrange a short consultation with an attorney to help determine whether legal action might be warranted. When seeking a referral, an attorney who specializes in landlord/tenant law may be most helpful in resolving disputes involving secondhand smoke exposure.
  • County Tobacco Control Projects: Each county health department has a state-funded Tobacco Control Project, which may be able to refer individuals affected by secondhand smoke to additional resources.

A. Milton Miller Memorial Fund dba Western Law Center for Disability Rights, Loyola Law School

Phone
213-736-1031
City
Los Angeles

Alameda County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service

Phone
510-302-2222
City
Oakland

Alternative Dispute Resolution ProBono Project

Phone
408-998-5298
City
San Jose

Alternative Dispute Resolution Center Department of Community Action

Phone
951-955-4903
City
Riverside

Attorney Referral and Information Service of the Fresno County Bar Association

Phone
559-264-2619
City
Fresno

Attorney Referral Service

Phone
877-277-2778
City
Temecula

Attorney Referral Service of the Sacramento County Bar Association

Phone
916-444-2333
City
Sacramento

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