Every landlord operating rental property in California is legally required to uphold the tenant rights established by state statute and local ordinance, regardless of what the lease says. Tenant rights that are guaranteed by law cannot be waived by the tenant in a lease agreement. Landlords who are unaware of these obligations face dismissed eviction cases, habitability claims, fair housing investigations, and statutory penalties that can significantly exceed the underlying rent dispute.
Statewide rent cap and just-cause eviction protections. Caps annual increases at 5%+CPI (max 10%).
California Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) - Just CausePro tenant
CA Civil Code §1946.2 · Just cause eviction · enacted 2019
California: statewide just-cause eviction requirement for tenants of 12+ months (paired with statewide rent cap under same act).
California Statewide Rent Cap (AB 1482)Pro tenant
CA Civil Code §1947.12 · Rent control · enacted 2019
California: statewide annual rent increase cap of 5% + local CPI, max 10%, for units 15+ years old.
California Source of Income Protection (SB 329)Pro tenant
CA Gov. Code §12955 / FEHA · Source of income · enacted 2020
California: prohibits housing discrimination based on source of income, including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.
SB 567, Homelessness Prevention ActPro tenant
CA Civil Code §1946.2(b) · Just cause eviction · enacted 2023
Strengthens just-cause eviction protections by requiring landlords to prove intent for owner move-in and condo conversion evictions.
SB 329, Source of Income Discrimination BanPro tenant
CA Gov Code §12927 · Source of income · enacted 2019
Prohibits landlords from refusing Section 8 or other housing vouchers.
AB 2801, Rental RegistryPro tenant
CA Civil Code §1947.15 · enacted 2024
Requires cities to maintain rental registries to track rent increases and evictions.
AB 1168, Security Deposit ReformPro tenant
CA Civil Code §1950.5 · Security deposit · enacted 2024
Caps security deposits at one month rent for most landlords.
AB 1482 Extension, AB 12Pro tenant
CA Civil Code §1946.2 · Rent stabilization · enacted 2024
Extended AB 1482 sunset from 2030 to 2035 and tightened some provisions.
Ellis ActPro landlord
CA Gov Code §7060-7060.7 · enacted 1985
Allows landlords to evict all tenants to withdraw units from the rental market (go-out-of-business).
Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing ActPro landlord
CA Civil Code §1954.50-1954.535 · Preemption · enacted 1995
Limits local rent control: exempts single-family homes, new construction post-1995, and allows vacancy decontrol.
Tenant rights cannot be waived by lease clause.
In California, any lease provision that attempts to waive a tenant right established by statute is void and unenforceable, and attempting to enforce it can be used against the landlord in court. Know the floor the law sets before drafting your lease.
Compliance Checklist for California Landlords
Habitability audit, inspect every unit at move-in and after any reported repair request. Log completion dates. Any defect that's left unresolved for 30+ days is a habitability claim waiting to happen.
Written entry notices, document every entry with a written 24-hour notice. Keep a log of date, time, purpose, and notice method.
Security deposit documentation, conduct written move-in and move-out inspections with photos. Return the deposit (or itemized accounting) within the statutory deadline after move-out.
Fair housing compliance, apply consistent, written screening criteria to all applicants uniformly. Train all leasing staff on protected classes under federal and California law.
Source-of-income compliance, California prohibits refusing to rent to Section 8 voucher holders who otherwise qualify. Update advertising, applications, and staff training accordingly.
Non-retaliation documentation, before any adverse action (non-renewal, rent increase, termination), confirm it is not connected to a recent tenant complaint or protected activity. Document the business reason in writing before acting.
Just-cause compliance, California requires a legally permitted reason to terminate covered tenancies. Verify the just-cause ground and required notice before serving any termination notice.
