What is considered substandard housing in California?

Substandard housing in California is defined primarily by properties that violate health and safety codes. These codes are put in place to ensure that housing is safe, livable, and meets minimum standards of health and safety for occupants. A property failing to comply with these regulations can pose significant risks to tenants, such as hazardous living conditions, lack of essential services like water and heat, or structural issues that could endanger residents.

The other options do not fit the definition of substandard housing as they do not inherently relate to compliance with health and safety standards. A property under renovation may have temporary issues but could still be safe and compliant overall. Similarly, ownership status, such as being owned by non-residents, and being occupied by tenants do not determine the safety or livability of a property. Instead, they focus on ownership and occupancy aspects, which are irrelevant when assessing housing standards based on health and safety regulations.