Reviewed August 2026 · California
Official California resources
Everything on this site is a summary. These are the primary sources it summarizes — state agencies, the courts, and the code itself.
Start here
The three sources most California landlords and tenants should read before anything else.
California Attorney General — Tenants
OfficialThe Attorney General's tenant-rights hub: rent caps and just cause, price gouging during declared emergencies, discrimination, and how to file a complaint.
oag.ca.govCalifornia Tenants — A Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities
GuideThe long-form state guide, in PDF. The single most complete plain-English walkthrough of a California tenancy from application through move-out.
portal.shra.orgAAOA — California Landlord Tenant Laws
IndustryThe American Apartment Owners Association's California summary, written from the housing-provider side — useful as a cross-check against tenant-facing sources.
american-apartment-owners-association.org
The statutes themselves
When a summary is not enough, read the section. These links go to the official text.
Civil Code §1947.12 — statewide rent cap
OfficialThe AB 1482 rent cap: the 5% + CPI formula, the 10% ceiling, and the exemptions.
leginfo.legislature.ca.govCivil Code §1946.2 — just cause for termination
OfficialAt-fault and no-fault just cause, relocation assistance, and the required notice content.
leginfo.legislature.ca.govCivil Code §1950.5 — security deposits
OfficialDeposit limits, permitted deductions, the 21-day accounting, and the photo requirements.
leginfo.legislature.ca.govCivil Code §1941.1 — untenantable conditions
OfficialThe habitability checklist every California rental has to meet.
leginfo.legislature.ca.govCivil Code §1954 — landlord entry
OfficialThe only lawful reasons to enter a rental, and how much notice each one requires.
leginfo.legislature.ca.govCode of Civil Procedure §1161 — unlawful detainer
OfficialThe grounds for an unlawful detainer action and the notices that precede it.
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Courts and agencies
Where cases are filed and where complaints are investigated.
California Courts — Eviction self-help
CourtStep-by-step guidance and the official Judicial Council forms for both sides of an unlawful detainer.
selfhelp.courts.ca.govCalifornia Civil Rights Department — Housing
OfficialThe state agency that enforces FEHA in housing. File a discrimination complaint or read the regulations.
calcivilrights.ca.govHUD — Fair Housing
OfficialFederal fair housing law, assistance-animal guidance, and the federal complaint process.
hud.govCalifornia Department of Real Estate
OfficialLicensing and consumer resources, including the rules that govern property managers.
dre.ca.govCalifornia Legislative Information
OfficialSearch any bill or code section by number. The primary source for everything cited on this site.
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
Getting help
Free and low-cost help for tenants, and industry associations for housing providers.
LawHelpCA
GuideDirectory of free legal aid organizations across California, searchable by county and issue.
lawhelpca.orgCalifornia Apartment Association
IndustryIndustry association with compliance forms, CPI figures for the rent cap, and local ordinance tracking.
caanet.orgHUD-approved housing counseling
OfficialFree counseling on rental issues, evictions, and fair housing, funded by HUD.
hud.gov
This is general information, not legal advice. California law changes every year and local ordinances often go further than state law. Check your city and county rules, and talk to a California attorney before acting on anything here.
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