Please help no one has any answers....

okay I moved into this complex in oakland ca 3 yrs ago. The owners were friends of the family. There were some initial issues with the stove, dishwasher, heaters and toilet when we moved in. Some of these issues were addressed. They replaced dishwasher, fixed heater and temporarily repaired the oven.
During the past 3 years our oven has been hit or miss. with only 2 burners working and the stove only went to 100 degrees or 500 degrees. We were guarenteed and promised month after month that this stove would be replaced.


Finally 4 months ago our stove went completely out and became non operable.
we notified the property manager and the owners in writing and verbally several times.
Once again we were guarenteed that our stove would be replaced.
Thanksgiving passed as well as christmas and new years and on 1/25/07 they replaced our stove. Well when they replaced the stove they also stated it needed a new plug so they left wires hanging out of the wall and the stove in the center of my kitchen and left. They stated they would return in about 30min. They never came back, called them they never answered. The propery manager called us back 2.5 weeks later stating that the part was sold out. We asked what kind of plug so that we may replace the plug. they stated it was special and complicated and they would take care of it. Well on 2/25/07 they replaced the plug. now during this whole fiasco we have had to eat out 24/7. I did the math and on the light side 2 adults @30/day $15/meal. only eating once a day for 4 months comes to $3600. We wrote them a letter explaining why we felt we did not owe rent for the month of feb and spk w/the property manager who is there son and he agreed. After submitting this letter along w/$1500 partial payment for the month of feb. They cashed this check and then have now sent letters stating to evict us.
The state of ca has stated that this is not a case that they would be able to take. I don't know where else to turn.

[Law200]

You can sue in small claims for damages etc. but you should pay rent first and on time and then sue--or leave if the premises are not habitable for you.

Look up your local landlord-tenant laws.

If any appliances come with the property you rent, they MUST be in proper working order for the entire duration of your lease. If they break, the landlord must fix it quickly. (Most laws state two weeks at the most).