California tenant rights

What should I do if I get an eviction notice in California?

Treat it as time-sensitive, not as an eviction. A landlord notice in California is usually a step before a court case — not a judgment and not a lockout. If the paper names a court, a case number, or a date to appear, a case has been filed and a response window is running. Write down when and how it arrived, keep the original, and call legal aid the same day if a court is named. How long the notice runs is in California Civil Code — hiring of real property, not in a national chart.

How do security deposits work in California?

California Civil Code — hiring of real property is where California sets whether there is a cap, what may be deducted, and how long a landlord has to return what is left. Those figures change, and reprinting a stale number is how people miss a window. Document the unit at move-in and move-out, return keys the way the lease requires, keep a forwarding address, then read the chapter or take the file to legal aid.

What if my landlord will not make repairs in California?

Most states, including California, expect a landlord to keep a rental fit to live in. The exact process — written notice, a waiting period, repair-and-deduct, escrow, or a code complaint — is a California question, and withholding rent without checking is one of the highest-risk moves a renter can make. Put the request in writing, date it, photograph the condition, and ask legal aid before you skip a payment.

Can my landlord enter without notice in California?

Entry rules in California are in California Civil Code — hiring of real property, and they often differ for emergencies, repairs, and showings. This site does not invent a national hour-count. If an entry felt improper, write down the date, time, who entered, and whether you were told in advance — then confirm the statute or ask legal aid.

Does my city in California add extra renter rules?

Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Berkeley and Santa Monica are among the California cities that run their own rent or eviction-protection programs. City rules can add protections the state does not require.

Where is free legal help in California?

LawHelp.org routes California renters to nonprofit legal-aid offices. Dial 211 for local rent, shelter, or utility help in many languages. If you have court papers, call legal aid the same day and ask about walk-in or self-help hours at the courthouse. Those resources are free and are never behind a sign-up on this site.

Is California rent control statewide?

No. The Civil Code is the statewide floor. Many cities — Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Berkeley, Santa Monica — run their own rent or just-cause programs. Coverage is an address question the city answers. Do not treat an LA RSO answer as a Fresno answer.

What is an unlawful detainer in California?

That is the Superior Court case to recover possession. A landlord notice is a step. An unlawful detainer with a case number is a case. Legal aid the same day. Stay Housed LA is a Los Angeles door, not a statewide court.

Where is the official California renter page?

The Attorney General’s landlord-tenant page and California Legislative Information for the Civil Code. LawHelpCA is the legal-aid directory. This classroom cites those. It does not replace them.

What these California sources cover

• Written rental agreements, habitability and repair obligations, landlord entry, security deposits, and retaliation are addressed in the Civil Code chapter on hiring of real property.
• The Attorney General's renter page collects state consumer guidance and complaint routes.
• Several California cities operate local rent stabilization and just-cause programs administered by a city rent board or housing department. Confirm whether your address is covered before assuming a local rule applies to you.

Official sources

California city desks

City ordinances sit on top of California law. Each desk names the local office and the court. We do not invent a local deadline.

• Los AngelesLAHD administers the Rent Stabilization Ordinance and a separate just-cause ordinance. Whether your unit is covered is an address question. LAHD will tell you; this desk will not guess.
• San DiegoDo not import Los Angeles RSO rules into San Diego. Ask the City whether your unit is covered by a local program.
• San FranciscoThe San Francisco Rent Board is the local forum for covered units. Ask them whether your unit is under the Rent Ordinance.
• OaklandOakland’s Rent Adjustment Program is the local forum. Neighboring cities have different boards.
• San JoseSan Jose Housing administers the local rent ordinance. Neighboring cities have different programs.
• SacramentoConfirm any Sacramento tenant-protection ordinance on the City site. Do not use a San Francisco petition form.
• Long BeachLong Beach administers its own rent and just-cause programs. LAHD is a different city.
• FresnoCalifornia Civil Code is the floor. Fresno 311/code is the conditions door. Confirm any local just-cause coverage with the City.

Questions on this desk

• Is a landlord notice the same as being evicted?
• What number should I call right now?
• Is there a national tenant-rights law in the United States?
• What should I do if I get an eviction notice?
• How do I find free legal help as a renter?
• Can my landlord enter without notice?

Common questions