California landlord tenant law covers a lot of ground, and most of it is not optional. This is a plain-language map of the rules that apply outside of rent caps and security deposits, which are big enough topics to have their own dedicated guides. If you own or manage a rental, this overview points to where the real requirements live so you know what to look up before you act.
Rent Caps and Security Deposits in Brief
Two of the most common landlord questions already have a full write-up elsewhere on this site, so here is the short version. Most rent increases are capped at 5 percent plus local inflation, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, with the required notice period depending on how large the increase is; the current cap for this area and who is exempt is covered in the site’s guide on how much a landlord can raise rent in California.
Security deposits are generally capped at one month’s rent, though a narrow exception lets some small landlords charge up to two months, and any charge labeled a pet deposit now counts toward that same one-month cap rather than being an extra fee on top of it. What follows covers the rest of the law: notices, entry, disclosures, and a set of laws that took effect for the first time in 2025.
How Much Notice a Landlord Must Give to End a Tenancy
The required notice depends on how long the tenant has lived there and what kind of tenancy it is.
| Type of Tenancy | Notice Required |
| Week-to-week tenancy | 7 days, from either side |
| Month-to-month, resident under 1 year | 30 days |
| Month-to-month, resident 1 year or more | 60 days |
| Fixed-term lease that has expired | Generally follows the lease’s own end date, subject to the just cause rule below |
These are minimums under Civil Code Sections 1946 and 1946.1. Local rent control ordinances in some cities require longer notice or add extra steps, so always check whether the property sits inside one of those jurisdictions.
The Just Cause Rule After 12 Months
Once a tenant has lived in a unit for 12 months, Civil Code Section 1946.2 generally requires a landlord to have a specific, lawful reason to end the tenancy, rather than simply choosing not to renew. The law splits these reasons into two categories:
- At-fault reasons: nonpayment of rent, breaking a material lease term, criminal activity on the property, or refusing to sign a similar renewal lease
- No-fault reasons: the owner or a close relative moving in, a planned demolition or substantial remodel, taking the unit off the rental market, or complying with a government order to vacate
Several categories of housing are exempt from this rule, including most single-family homes not owned by a corporation or REIT, units built within the last 15 years, and owner-occupied duplexes, largely mirroring the exemptions under the statewide rent cap.
Entering a Tenant’s Unit
A landlord cannot enter an occupied unit whenever they like. Under Civil Code Section 1954, non-emergency entry, including for routine maintenance, generally requires at least 24 hours of written notice stating the date, approximate time, and reason for entry, and the visit should happen during normal business hours. A genuine emergency is the main exception that allows entry without advance notice.
Lockouts and Utility Shutoffs Are Illegal
Changing the locks, shutting off water or power, or removing a tenant’s belongings to force them out is illegal self-help eviction under Civil Code Section 789.3, regardless of how much rent is owed. The only lawful way to remove a tenant is through the court eviction process. A landlord who locks a tenant out can be liable for the tenant’s actual damages, statutory damages, and attorney’s fees.
Disclosures Landlords Are Expected to Give Tenants
Depending on the property, a handful of written disclosures are commonly required at or before move-in:
| Disclosure | When It Applies |
| Lead-based paint | Federally required for any unit built before 1978 |
| Bed bugs and pest treatment | Required at lease signing, including any pesticides used |
| Mold | Required if the landlord has actual knowledge of mold above safe exposure levels |
| Smoking policy | Required if smoking is restricted, specifying exactly where it is prohibited |
| Registered sex offender database notice | Required in the lease itself, referencing the state’s Megan’s Law website |
| Planned demolition | Required as soon as practical after a demolition permit is applied for |
Local ordinances in some cities add further disclosure requirements on top of these statewide ones.
Protections for Domestic Violence Survivors
A tenant who is a documented survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking has specific protections under California law. A landlord who receives proper written documentation must change the locks within a short statutory window, generally at the landlord’s expense, and the tenant may be able to end the lease early with 30 days’ notice under Civil Code Section 1941.7. A landlord cannot end or refuse to renew a tenancy simply because a tenant or household member is a documented survivor.
Six New Landlord-Tenant Laws That Took Effect in 2025
A batch of new laws changed several routine landlord practices starting January 1, 2025, and they are still worth double-checking against your current lease paperwork.
| Bill | Topic | What Changed |
| AB 2801 | Security deposits | Capped most security deposits at one month’s rent, folded pet deposits into that same cap, and added photo-documentation requirements when a landlord withholds money for repairs |
| AB 2747 | Credit reporting | Landlords of most residential rentals must offer to report on-time rent payments to a credit bureau, for a fee capped at $10 or actual cost |
| SB 611 | Fees and deposits | Bars charging tenants for delivering legal notices or paying by check, and requires a written explanation if a deposit exceeds one month’s rent |
| AB 2493 | Tenant screening fees | Limits when an application screening fee can be charged and requires the applicant’s report be provided within 7 days |
| AB 2347 | Eviction response time | Doubles a tenant’s time to respond to an eviction filing from 5 court days to 10 |
| SB 1051 | Domestic violence protections | Requires lock changes within 24 hours of a qualifying written request, at the landlord’s expense |
Small Claims Court for Landlord-Tenant Disputes
Many landlord-tenant money disputes, such as a dispute over deposit deductions or unpaid rent after move-out, are resolved in small claims court rather than a full civil case. As of 2026, the small claims limit is $12,500 for an individual, and a person may only file more than two claims over $2,500 in a single calendar year. Eviction cases themselves cannot be filed in small claims court.
Quick Reference
- Notice to end a tenancy ranges from 7 days (week-to-week) to 60 days (month-to-month, 1+ year resident)
- After 12 months, most tenancies require a specific at-fault or no-fault reason to end, not just non-renewal
- Non-emergency entry requires at least 24 hours of written notice
- Lockouts and utility shutoffs are illegal, no matter how much rent is owed
- Standard disclosures include lead paint, pests, mold, smoking policy, and the sex offender registry notice
- Six new laws in 2025 touched credit reporting, screening fees, deposit rules, and eviction timelines
- Small claims court handles most landlord-tenant money disputes up to $12,500
For the full detail on rent increase limits or security deposit rules, see this site’s dedicated guides on those two topics. For everything else covered here, a local property manager can help confirm which rules apply to a specific property before a lease is signed or a tenant moves out.
This content is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Readers should consult with licensed professionals regarding their specific circumstances.
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