Merced, Cal., Code of Ordinances ch. 9.75 § 9.75.040
Right of first refusal
Operative Text
When the owner of record seeks in good faith to undertake substantial repairs that cannot be completed while the unit is occupied, and that are necessary either to bring the property into compliance with applicable codes and laws affecting the health and safety of tenants of the building, or under an outstanding notice of code violations affecting the health and safety of tenants of the building, the following shall apply. A. Upon recovery of possession of the rental unit, the owner of record shall proceed without unreasonable delay to affect the needed repairs. B. Upon completion of the needed repairs, the owner of record shall offer tenant the first right to return to the premises at the same rent and pursuant to a rental agreement of substantially the same terms as the tenant's previous rental agreement for the period identified in Section 9.75.050 . 1. The owner of record must provide written notice to the tenant regarding the tenant's right to return at the time the tenant is displaced or as soon as practical thereafter. 2. Within seven (7) days of the completion of the repairs, the owner of record must provide the tenant with written notice, sent by first-class certified mail, that the repairs have been completed and that the tenant may return to the unit in accordance with this subsection B. 3. Notice to the tenant shall be sent to the address provided by the tenant at the time of relocation. 4. The tenant must respond in writing, within ten (10) days after the notice has been mailed by the owner, as to whether the tenant will return to the premises.
Merced Code of Ordinances ch. 9.75 § 9.75.040 establishes a right of first refusal for tenants who are displaced when an owner needs to make substantial health-and-safety repairs that cannot be done while the unit is occupied. Once repairs are finished, the owner must promptly notify the displaced tenant by certified mail, and the tenant has ten days to respond in writing about whether they intend to return. If the tenant chooses to return, they are entitled to do so at the same rent and under substantially the same lease terms they had before the displacement.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Merced Code of Ordinances ch. 9.75 § 9.75.040, compliant property owners generally inform tenants in writing of their right to return at or near the time of displacement, complete the required repairs without unreasonable delay, and send a certified-mail notice within seven days of finishing the work. Owners also maintain a record of the address the tenant provided at relocation, since that is where the statutory notices must be sent. Keeping clear documentation of repair timelines, notice dates, and tenant correspondence supports a record of compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Merced Code of Ordinances ch. 9.75 § 9.75.040 gives displaced tenants the right to reclaim their unit at the same rent and on substantially the same lease terms once the owner completes the health-and-safety repairs that caused the displacement. Tenants should provide a reliable forwarding address at the time of relocation, since the owner's certified-mail notice of repair completion will be sent there, and a written response is required within ten days of that mailing. Tenants who believe this right has not been honored may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization or reviewing the broader protections outlined in ch. 9.75 § 9.75.050 for additional context on their options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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