Does my landlord have to disclose any deaths or crimes that have occurred in the house that I am renting?

Question

Does my landlord have to disclose any deaths or crimes that have occurred in the house that I am renting?

Answer

If a prior occupant of the rental unit died in the unit within the last three (3) years, the owner or the owner's agent must disclose this fact to a prospective tenant when the tenant wants to rent the unit. The owner or agent must disclose the manner of death, but is not required to disclose that the occupant was ill with, or died from, AIDS. (Civ. Code, 1710.2.)

The owner or agent cannot intentionally misrepresent the cause of death in response to a direct question.