Re: Landlord fines tenant for negative reviews

On Jul 7, 2025 at 3:20:55 PM PDT, ""Adam H. Kerman"" <ahk@chinet.com> wrote:

In Scottsdale, a man beomes a tenants in rental housing, intending to
stay for a few months as he looks to buy. He had to leave his old house
by a specific deadline as it had sold.
 
The property was not in move-in condition, large black marks on the
carpeting, large holes in the walls. The management company ignored
complaints. After posting two negative reviews, he was fined $4,000.
 
The lease he signed includes a non-disparagement clause specific to
posting such reviews.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUqjG7ZZZU0

I'm pretty sure California has a law that invalidates any such clauses in
contracts and lease agreements as void against public policy. Business and
landlords can put them in but they're unenforceable.