Dividing the repair duties
In California, the landlord is generally responsible for repairs needed to keep a rental safe and livable, while the tenant is responsible for damage they cause beyond normal wear and tear. The law places the duty to maintain essential conditions — plumbing, heat, electrical, structure, and more — on the landlord.
Tenants have responsibilities too. You must use the home reasonably, keep your space clean, dispose of trash properly, and avoid deliberately or carelessly damaging the unit. If you cause a specific problem, you may have to pay for that repair. But if a landlord fails to fix a habitability issue after you give notice, the landlord may be liable for the condition and its effects.
Reporting problems in writing — a text or email you keep a copy of — helps keep responsibility clear and shows when the landlord was notified. That record is often valuable if a dispute develops later. If you are being blamed for a problem you did not cause, it may be worth getting guidance.
This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.