Housing

In California, your landlord can charge up to two months’ rent for an unfurnished unit or three months’ rent for a furnished unit as a security deposit.

Your landlord must return your security deposit, or provide an itemized written statement of deductions, within 21 days after you move out and surrender possession of the rental unit.

No, your landlord cannot keep your security deposit for normal wear and tear in California. They can only deduct for damage beyond ordinary use, cleaning, unpaid rent, or other lawful charges.

Yes, you may withhold rent in California if your landlord fails to fix serious habitability problems after proper written notice, but only under strict conditions and with risks.

Yes, your landlord is legally required to keep your apartment habitable in California under the implied warranty of habitability.

Yes, but only under strict conditions: the repair must fix a habitability issue, cost less than one month’s rent, and you must have given written notice and waited a reasonable time for the landlord to act.

No, California law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants for reporting code violations, and such retaliation is illegal within 180 days of the complaint.

In California, most rent-controlled units are subject to a maximum annual rent increase of 5% plus CPI (but never more than 10%), while non-controlled units have no statewide cap—except for the 90-day notice requirement for increases over 10%.

In California, your landlord must give you 30 days’ written notice for a rent increase of 10% or less in any 12-month period, and 90 days’ notice for increases over 10%. If you’ve lived in the unit for over a year, different rules may apply under local rent control laws.

The Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) is California’s statewide rent cap and just-cause eviction law that applies to most rental units built more than 15 years ago — unless exempted. It likely applies to you if you rent a covered unit in California.

Generally, no — California rent control does not apply to single-family homes, unless the owner owns more than two such units or the home is part of a multi-unit property.

In most cases, no — California law requires landlords to provide a valid legal reason (just cause) to evict tenants in cities with rent control or under the statewide Tenant Protection Act.

No, your landlord cannot lock you out or shut off utilities to force you to leave — it's illegal under California law and can result in penalties up to $100 per day.

In California, your landlord must give you a written notice before filing an eviction — typically 3 days for nonpayment of rent, 30 or 60 days for no-fault terminations, depending on tenancy length and property type.

In California, an unlawful detainer (eviction) lawsuit can result in a court-ordered eviction in as little as 2–4 weeks after the landlord files the case — but only after proper notice and court proceedings.

Yes, your landlord can refuse to renew your lease without cause under AB 1482 — the law does not require landlords to renew leases at all.

In California, if you're evicted without fault (e.g., owner move-in or demolition), you may be entitled to relocation assistance — typically $5,260 for households with seniors or disabled members, and $3,300 for others — under state law and local ordinances.

Valid just-cause reasons for eviction in California include nonpayment of rent, breach of lease terms, nuisance or waste, illegal activity, refusal to renew a lease under certain conditions, and owner move-in — but only if the landlord complies with state and local just-cause laws.

No, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) does not protect against discrimination based on source of income.

Yes, in most cases your landlord in California must allow your emotional support animal (ESA) as a reasonable accommodation under federal and state fair housing laws — unless it poses a direct threat or undue burden.

Yes, you can sue your landlord for housing discrimination under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), which prohibits discrimination in housing based on protected characteristics like race, disability, or familial status.

No, in California, landlords generally cannot refuse to rent to you because you have children — it's illegal discrimination under state and federal fair housing laws.

No, the new owner cannot evict you just because the building was sold — your lease remains in effect, and month-to-month tenants keep their rights under California law.