Know your next step
Answers to common questions and to the situations that do not fit a standard form, with everyday examples and the official sources.
Orientation before you decide.
Eviction notices
A 3-day notice is the first step before an eviction case for unpaid rent. Here is how the deadline is counted, what the notice must say and what your options are.
Read the guideEviction court cases
An unlawful detainer summons gives you only a few court days to file an Answer. Here is what the papers are, how the deadline works and what happens next.
Read the guideSecurity deposits
California landlords have 21 days after move-out to return the deposit or itemize deductions. Here is what they can deduct, the deposit limits and what to do if they keep it.
Read the guideRepairs and habitability
California landlords must keep rental homes fit to live in. Here is what habitability covers, how to request repairs, the limits of repair and deduct and how the law protects you from retaliation.
Read the guideRent increases
Many California rentals are covered by a statewide cap on yearly rent increases, and some cities have stricter rules. Here is how to check whether your increase is allowed.
Read the guideJust cause and terminations
For many California rentals, a landlord needs a just cause to end a tenancy after 12 months. Here is the difference between at-fault and no-fault causes, relocation assistance and notice periods.
Read the guideRepairs and habitability
Mold, cockroaches, rodents and bed bugs can make a rental unfit to live in. Here is what California law requires, how to report the problem and what to avoid.
Read the guideEviction notices
A California landlord may not change the locks, remove your belongings or cut off utilities to force you out. Here is what the law says and what to do right away.
Read the guideTenant rights during the lease
California law limits when and how a landlord may enter your home. Here are the allowed reasons, the 24-hour notice rule and what to do if entry is abused.
Read the guideTenant rights during the lease
Can you sublet, add a roommate or replace one who moves out? Here is how California law and your lease decide it, and the risks for the original tenant.
Read the guideLeases and moving out
Leaving before the lease ends does not always mean paying all the remaining rent. Here is how the landlord's duty to re-rent works and the special rules for abuse victims and servicemembers.
Read the guideJust cause and terminations
Pressure to move out, threats or a sudden offer of money to leave: here is what California law prohibits, how buyout agreements work and what to check before you sign.
Read the guideJust cause and terminations
A landlord who wants to move into your unit must follow strict rules under the Tenant Protection Act and local ordinances. Here is what the notice must say and what you may be owed.
Read the guideSecurity deposits
If your landlord kept your deposit without a valid reason, small claims court is often the practical next step. Here is how to prepare, what to ask for and what to expect.
Read the guideRenting a home
California limits application screening fees, requires receipts and refunds of unused fees, and prohibits discrimination, including based on source of income. Here is what applicants should know.
Read the guide