Tenant Legal Resources
UCSC Off-campus Housing Legal Consultation Service
March – June, 2025
UC Santa Cruz students have access to free legal consultation services. Consult with an attorney about your off-campus (non-UCSC) housing issue, including:
- Review of lease/rental agreement
- Deposits and lease termination
- Dispute with a landlord
- Health and safety (e.g., mold and water intrusion)
- Possible housing discrimination
- Eviction
Details: The Student Union Assembly, in partnership with UCSC Community Rentals and the UCSC Office of Campus Counsel, is pleased to provide UCSC students with access to free legal consultation services related to off-campus housing issues (i.e. non-UCSC housing). Legal consultation services provided by McManis-Faulkner Law.
Students may receive up to two consultations for each legal issue. If a student has multiple, discrete issues, it is possible to provide additional consultations. Consultations are capped at five per year for any individual student.
Eligibility: Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student at UC Santa Cruz with a potential legal concern regarding off-campus rental housing.
Scheduling: Visit the McManis-Faulkner website to schedule an appointment.
Additional legal resources
California Courts Self-Help Guide
The online Self-Help Guide to the California Courts provides information about eviction, security deposits, and small claims case filing.
California Rural Legal Assistance
California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) is a nonprofit law firm that provides free legal advice for low-income tenants.
Conflict Resolution Center of Santa Cruz County
The Conflict Resolution Center of Santa Cruz County offers free housing mediation services to landlords and tenants with rental housing disputes. Mediation does not affect your rental or credit history and can help avoid eviction.
Lawyer Referral Service of Santa Cruz County
Lawyer Referral Service of Santa Cruz County is a nonprofit certified by the State Bar of California. Request an appointment and a staff member will help connect you with an attorney.
Santa Cruz County Law Library
Knowledgeable staff at the Santa Cruz County Law Library can answer questions about local legal processes and timelines, and connect you with helpful resources.
Tenant Sanctuary
Tenant Sanctuary is a tenant’s rights education service located in Santa Cruz. Tenant Sanctuary counselors offer walk-in counseling hours, legal clinics, and other events.
Local and state codes of law
We recommend using the resources above to connect with a legal aid organization or attorney. Talking one-on-one with someone knowledgeable about renters’ issues is the best way to get help. To reference specific local and state laws, you can search the following websites:
Looking for more info about tenant-landlord issues?
Visit our Tenant Rights page for a brief overview of important issues to understand as a renter.