Overview
California has some of the most comprehensive tenant protections in the United States. The Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482) established statewide rent control and just-cause eviction requirements for most rental properties. This guide covers key regulations including security deposits, rent rules, eviction procedures, and habitability requirements.
Security Deposit Rules
| Maximum Deposit | One month's rent (unfurnished); Two months' rent (furnished) — as of July 1, 2024 (AB 12) |
| Return Deadline | 21 days |
| Interest Required | Not statewide; some cities require it |
| Itemized Statement | Required with receipts for deductions over $125 |
| Statute Reference | Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 |
Rent Rules & Late Fees
| Grace Period | Not mandated statewide; check local ordinance |
| Late Fee Limit | Must be reasonable; courts scrutinize excessive fees |
| Rent Control Status | Yes — AB 1482 caps increases at 5% + CPI (max 10%) for covered units |
| Rent Increase Notice | 30 days (increases ≤10%); 90 days (increases >10%) |
| Statute Reference | Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2; Cal. Civ. Code § 827 |
Eviction Procedures
| Non-Payment Notice | 3 days (pay or quit) |
| Lease Violation Notice | 3 days to cure, or quit |
| Month-to-Month Notice | 30 days (tenancy < 1 year); 60 days (tenancy ≥ 1 year) |
| Just Cause Required | Yes, for covered units under AB 1482 |
| Relocation Assistance | Required for no-fault evictions in covered units (1 month's rent) |
| Statute Reference | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161; Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2 |
Entry & Notice Requirements
| Notice Required | 24 hours (written) |
| Emergency Entry | Allowed without notice |
| Permitted Reasons | Repairs, Inspections, Show property, Emergency, Court order |
| Statute Reference | Cal. Civ. Code § 1954 |
Required Lease Disclosures
- Lead-based paint disclosure (pre-1978 housing)
- Mold and ventilation disclosure
- Methamphetamine or fentanyl contamination notice (if applicable)
- Flood zone disclosure (if applicable)
- Pest control products disclosure
- Smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector compliance
- AB 1482 rent cap and just-cause eviction notice (if covered)
- Landlord or agent contact information
- Move-in checklist (required upon request)
Repairs & Habitability
Landlord Obligations
- • Maintain habitable conditions (implied warranty of habitability)
- • Comply with all building and housing codes
- • Maintain structural integrity, plumbing, heating, and electrical
- • Keep common areas clean and safe
- • Provide adequate weatherproofing
- • Ensure working smoke and CO detectors
Tenant Remedies
- • Repair and deduct (up to one month's rent)
- • Rent withholding (judicially supervised)
- • Constructive eviction / abandon the unit
- • Report to local code enforcement or housing authority
- • Sue for damages including attorney fees
| Repair & Deduct | Yes — up to one month's rent; Cal. Civ. Code § 1942 |
| Retaliation Protections | Strong — landlord retaliation presumed if action taken within 180 days of tenant complaint |
| Statute Reference | Cal. Civ. Code § 1941–1942.5 |