Problem Tenant

[Kyle Clark]

A friend of mine is living in a apartment above a commercial unit. The property management recently changed hands. Below in the commercial unit there is a employee who non-stop talks trash about him and slanders him at every chance. He called the property management company and they said they could do nothing about gossip, only if there is damage to the property or such action. He asked "you cant do anything about the employee disturbing your tenants?" and they replied that his name is not on the lease.

In my opinion, isn't it true youre a tenant after living there over 30 days? This would be disturbing the tenant from the things that have been said. What California laws protect tenants in this situation? He will go meet with the passive property manager soon to put his name on the lease, what are his options?