Reference from McKee Properties
California landlord and tenant law, in plain English
The state rules that apply to residential rentals everywhere in California: rent increases, deposits, notices, evictions, repairs, entry, disclosures and fair housing. Each page names the statute, explains who it covers and what to do, and links the source. Everything was checked against the current code text on October 19, 2026.
Need a number fast? Use the rental tools: rent increase cap, deposit limits and notice dates. For step-by-step how-to guides on lease clauses, screening, move-in, repairs and move-out, see the California Rental Handbook. City rules can add to state law; for Coronado, see the Coronado Rental Guide.
Rent and money
California Rent Cap (AB 1482): How Much Rent Can Go Up
How much rent can go up under California's rent cap, Civil Code 1947.12: the 5% plus CPI formula, 8.2% for San Diego County, two-increase limit, exemptions.
Rent Increase Notices in California: 30 or 90 Days
How much notice a California rent increase needs under Civil Code 827: 30 days for 10% or less, 90 days above 10%, plus 5 days when mailed within the state.
California Security Deposit Rules (2026)
California security deposit law under Civil Code 1950.5: the one-month cap, what counts, allowed deductions, photos, the 21-day return and electronic refunds.
Rental Application and Screening Fees in California
California screening fee rules under Civil Code 1950.6: the $30 CPI-adjusted cap, the first-qualified or refund choice, receipts, credit report copies.
Late Fees on Rent in California
California sets no dollar or percentage cap on rent late fees. Civil Code § 1671 decides whether a late fee clause is valid. Related payment and notice rules.
Rent Payment Methods and Rent Reporting in California
California rent payment rules: a non-cash, non-electronic option, no check fees, third-party rent (Civ. 1947.3) and the AB 2747 rent reporting offer.
Ending a tenancy
Ending a Month-to-Month Tenancy: California Notice Rules
California notice rules for ending a month-to-month tenancy under Civil Code 1946.1: 60 or 30 days, the 30-day sale exception, delivery, and just cause.
Just-Cause Eviction in California (Civil Code § 1946.2)
When a California landlord needs just cause to end a tenancy under Civil Code 1946.2: the 12-month rule, at-fault and no-fault causes, relocation, exemptions.
Three-Day Notices in California: Pay Rent or Quit, Cure or Quit
How California 3-day notices work under CCP 1161: counting court days, what a pay-or-quit notice must say, how it is served, and the cure-first rule.
The California Eviction Process (Unlawful Detainer), Step by Step
The California eviction process step by step: the right notice, filing an unlawful detainer, serving the summons, the 10 court day answer period and defenses.
Ending a Lease Early for Domestic Violence and Other Crimes (Civil Code § 1946.7)
Civil Code 1946.7 lets crime victims end a California lease with written notice and proof, owing rent for at most 14 days. Who qualifies and what to attach.
Abandoned Units and Personal Property Left Behind in California
California rules for an abandoned rental (Civil Code 1951.3) and belongings left behind (1980 to 1991): notice periods, the $700 threshold, storage and sale.
Living in the rental
Habitability and Repairs in California Rentals
What makes a California rental habitable under Civil Code 1941.1, the 2026 stove and fridge rule, repair and deduct limits, and the rent ban on cited units.
When a California Landlord Can Enter a Rental (Civil Code § 1954)
When a California landlord may enter a rental: allowed reasons, written notice with date, time and purpose, the 24-hour rule, mailed notice and exceptions.
Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors in California Rentals
California rental owners must install, test and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide devices. Who is responsible, when units need them, and penalties.
Pets and Assistance Animals in California Rentals
California landlords may still refuse pets, but pet deposits count toward the deposit cap, assistance animals are not pets, and pet policies are due 2027.
Retaliation, Harassment and Lockouts: What California Landlords Can't Do
California bans retaliation for 180 days after a repair complaint, harassment meant to force a tenant out, lockouts and utility shutoffs. Rules and penalties.
Leases, disclosures and who may rent
Required Disclosures in a California Residential Lease
The disclosures a California residential lease needs in 2026: lead paint, Megan's Law, flood, bed bugs, the rent cap notice and more, plus conditional ones.
Fair Housing and Source of Income Rules for California Rentals
California fair housing for rentals: protected classes under Gov. Code § 12955, Section 8 and VASH vouchers as source of income, ads and income tests.
Military Tenants in California: SCRA and State Protections
How the SCRA and California law protect military tenants: ending a lease on PCS or deployment orders, eviction limits, deposit rules and fair housing.
HOA Rental Restrictions in California (Civil Code §§ 4740, 4741)
California HOAs cannot ban or unreasonably restrict renting a home, ADU or JADU, cannot cap rentals below 25%, and may ban rentals of 30 days or less.
Who Needs a License to Manage Rentals in California
California requires a DRE real estate license to lease, rent or collect rent on someone else's property for pay (B&P § 10131). What that means for owners.
What is changing
California Landlord Law Changes for 2026 and 2027
Dated tracker of California landlord laws taking effect in 2025, 2026 and 2027: deposits, appliances, notices, pet policies, ads, evictions and more.
This library is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; confirm the current text and your situation with a California attorney.
