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California Tenant Rights
High-protection state
Rent ControlJust Cause RequiredSOI ProtectedEviction Sealing
Security Deposit Limit
1 month
Return: 21 days
Nonpayment Notice
3 days
Right to cure: Yes
Just Cause Required
Yes
After 12 months
Key Tenant Rights in California
- Just cause eviction protection after 12 months
- Rent increase cap of 5% + CPI or 10%
- Right to repair and deduct up to one month's rent
- 180-day retaliation presumption
- Warranty of habitability (non-waivable)
- Local rent control in major cities
Rent Control
Annual Increase Cap
5% + CPI or 10% (whichever is lower)
AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act). Local ordinances in SF, LA, Oakland, Berkeley provide additional protections.
Common Eviction Defenses in California
Improper notice (wrong amount, missing payment address)
Retaliation (180-day presumption after protected activity)
Habitability breach (bars rent collection with code violations 35+ days)
Failure to provide relocation assistance for no-fault evictions
Source of income discrimination
Key Statutes
Landlord-Tenant Law
Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1940-1954
Eviction Procedure
CCP §§ 1159-1179
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