Room & Board Resident Rights
Room and boards (R&Bs) provide rooms and meals in exchange for money and/or services. A person who lives in an R&B for at least 30 days has the same rights as any other renter. This page lists resources and organizations that can help R&B residents understand and protect their rights. It also offers some information about common issues residents encounter.
Where To Get Help
In an emergency situation, call 911
Call 211 or go to https://www.211sacramento.org/211/ to get referred to an organization that may help
To report a problem to the city or county, such as a building code violation, call 311
Report abuse to Adult Protective Services (APS) - (916) 874-9377, https://dcfas.saccounty.gov/SAS/Pages/Adult-Protective-Services/SP-Adult-Protective-Services.aspx. A person must be at least 60 years old or a dependent adult to be eligible for APS services.
The following websites provide more detailed information about renters' rights:
California Tenants Guide - https://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/California-Tenants-Guide.pdf
Tenant Resources - https://housing.ca.gov/tenant/resources.html
Landlord Tenant Issues - https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/landlord-tenant-issues
California Courts Self Help Guide - https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/
Disability Rights in Housing - https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/drb-disability-rights-housing.pdf
Your Rights! Protecting Yourself Against Unsafe Living Conditions and Evictions - https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/publications/your-rights-protecting-yourself-against-unsafe-living-conditions-and-evictions
These organizations may be able to provide legal advice or representation:
Legal Services of Northern California, (916) 551-2150, https://lsnc.net/
Capitol Pro Bono – (916) 551-2102, https://capitalprobono.org/
Housing & Economic Rights Advocates (HERA) - (510) 271-8443, https://www.heraca.org/
Unlawful Detainer Advisory Clinic - (916) 875-7846, https://www.saccourt.ca.gov/ud/advisory-clinic.aspx
Disability Rights California Housing Stability Project – (800) 776-5746, https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/what-we-do/programs/housing-stability-project-hsp
California Civil Rights Department - (800) 884-1684, https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/
Moving In & Paying Rent
Get a printed copy of the rental agreement or lease and read it carefully. This document should spell out what you and the owner are required to do.
Inspect the R&B with the owner or manager before you sign the rental agreement. If you see damage or problems, try to get the owner or manager to fix it before you move in. If it does not get fixed before you move in, take pictures of the damage and/or ask the owner or manager to acknowledge the damage in writing. If the owner or manager promises to make repairs, ask for these promises in writing, including by what date the repairs will be made.
Make copies, scan, or take pictures of your signed rental agreement as well as documents that show you live at the R&B address (such as a government-issued ID, bank statement, or a recent bill mailed to you at the R&B). Store these on your phone, email them to yourself, or give copies to someone else so you will have access to them if needed.
Never pay rent in cash unless you get a receipt.
You have the right to make decisions about how your IHSS, Calfresh, SSI, or other government benefits are used. The R&B owner or manager cannot force you to give your benefits to them or name them as the designee, representative payee, or care provider. If they receive benefits on your behalf, they must use them to meet your needs.
Your Safety
It is a crime to harm or threaten to harm someone.
Fair housing laws may apply if you are being harassed by the R&B owner or manager because of your race, age, gender, disability, or other protected characteristic.
The owner or manager must also take prompt action to stop residents from harassing other residents because of their protected characteristics.
There are special laws that protect older people and some people with disabilities from emotional, physical, sexual, and financial abuse.
Living Conditions
The owner or manager must maintain the R&B in “habitable condition” to allow you to live there safely and in reasonable comfort. Unsafe wiring or plumbing, too many people living together, or other dangerous conditions can be reported to code enforcement (call 311).
The lease should spell out which meals will be provided and any agreement to provide specific types of food. If you require a special diet due to a medical condition, you may have the right to a reasonable accommodation.
Other residents or guests, except roommates, should not enter your room without your permission. The owner or manager must give you advance notice before entering your room.
You are entitled to access to the bathroom. Other shared areas, such as the kitchen and living rooms, may be restricted in your lease. If you have a medical condition that requires access to a fridge, you may have the right to a reasonable accommodation.
Eviction or Lockout
Kicking you out is illegal unless the owner goes through a formal eviction process in court.
You must be told in writing about the eviction hearing.
You have the right to attend the hearing and defend yourself.
If you get locked out, you can contact a locksmith or the police for help. You may need to show proof that you live there.
Rights for People with Disabilities
If you have a disability, you have the right to reasonable accommodations and modifications to enable you to use and enjoy the living space.
Reasonable accommodations are changes in rules, practices, or services. For example, a person with diabetes may require access to a refrigerator to store insulin. The owner is not allowed to charge a resident extra for making reasonable accommodations.
Reasonable modifications are physical changes. For example, a person with mobility challenges may need grab bars in the bathroom. The owner must allow you to make reasonable modifications, but the owner is not required to pay the costs.
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