California rental law sources

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This source directory lists selected California rental laws, regulation text, court guides, and agency information. Links checked August 9, 2026

If a source is hard to read, or you cannot find what you need, call 707-762-7777 or email rentals@bundesen.com and we will point you to the right official source. We cannot interpret it or give legal advice.

Source links, not legal advice. This page lists laws and agency resources without explaining or applying them. Sources may change; consult a qualified attorney before acting.

Find a California topic

Links below open official legal text, court guides, or agency information. Source labels identify the type of material.

Rent and ending a tenancy

Deposits, dwelling conditions, and entry

Fair housing, applications, and payments

Leases, disclosures, and general research

Disputes, court procedure, and inspections

California source directory

Rent increases and ending a tenancy

  1. California Civil Code §1947.12: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
    Topics: statewide rent-increase limits; calculation periods; treatment of concessions; exemptions; related notices and disclosures.
  2. California Civil Code §1946.2: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
    Topics: just-cause standards for ending certain residential tenancies; at-fault and no-fault causes; relocation-assistance provisions; exemptions; notices.
  3. California Civil Code §1946.1: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
    Topics: termination notices for certain residential and qualified commercial periodic tenancies; notice periods and delivery; sale-related provisions; abandoned-property notice; notice-delivery fees; definitions.
  4. California Civil Code §827: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
    Topics: changes to terms of periodic tenancies; rent-increase notices; delivery methods; notice periods.

Security deposits, habitability, and entry

  1. California Civil Code §1950.5: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
    Topics: residential security deposits; covered charges; amount limits; uses and deductions; pre-move-out inspection; itemized accounting and return; property transfers.
  2. California Code of Civil Procedure §116.221: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
    Topics: small-claims monetary jurisdiction for actions brought by natural persons.
  3. California Civil Code §1941.1: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
    Topics: conditions used to describe a tenantable dwelling; weather protection; plumbing; water; heat; electrical service; sanitation; refuse; floors, stairs, railings, and locks.
  4. California Civil Code §1942: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
    Topics: tenant remedies connected to untenantable conditions; repair and deduct; vacating; notice; timing; limits; exceptions.
  5. California Civil Code §1954: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
    Topics: landlord entry to dwelling units; entry purposes; notice; timing; showings; emergencies; abandonment; court orders.

Fair housing, applications, payments, and rent reporting

  1. California Government Code §12955: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
    Topics: housing discrimination; protected characteristics; source of income; inquiries and advertising; rental, sale, financing, and land-use practices.
  2. California Code of Regulations, title 2, §12185, as published by the Civil Rights Department: calcivilrights.ca.gov (PDF).
    Topics: service and support animals; accommodation requests; documentation; fees; animal conduct; direct-threat and property-damage provisions.
  3. California Civil Code §1950.6: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
    Topics: application-screening fees; unit availability; screening processes and criteria; receipts and itemization; applicant reports; reusable screening information.
  4. California Civil Code §1947.3: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
    Topics: rent and security-deposit payment methods; cash and electronic payments; third-party payments; dishonored checks; check-payment fees; acknowledgments.
  5. California Civil Code §1954.07: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
    Topics: offers of positive rent-payment reporting; written election; opting in and out; fees; reporting interruptions; exemptions; definitions.

Retaliation, eviction procedure, survivor protections, and inspections

  1. California Civil Code §1942.5: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
    Topics: retaliatory conduct linked to tenant activity; possession actions; rent or service changes; immigration reporting; remedies and defenses.
  2. California Civil Code §789.3: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
    Topics: utility interruption; lockouts; door or window removal; removal of personal property; civil remedies.
  3. California Code of Civil Procedure §1167: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
    Topics: summons and response timing in eviction court cases (unlawful detainer); service and filing procedure.
  4. California Civil Code §1946.7: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
    Topics: early tenancy termination connected to specified abuse or crimes; qualifying documentation; notice; confidentiality; rent and security-deposit provisions.
  5. California Health & Safety Code §17973: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
    Topics: inspections of exterior elevated elements in multifamily buildings; inspector qualifications; reports; repairs; local records; exemptions.

Official help and forms

These court and agency resources are not statutes.

  1. California Department of Real Estate, California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities: dre.ca.gov/publications/ResourceGuidebook. Paired official text: Civil Code §1950.6, Civil Code §1950.5, Civil Code §1954, and Civil Code §1946.2.
    Topics: rental applications; agreements and leases; landlord disclosures; security deposits; dwelling conditions; entry; moving out; eviction; glossary; cited legal authorities.
  2. Judicial Council of California landlord and tenant self-help: selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/landlords-and-tenants. Paired official text: Code of Civil Procedure §1167.
    Topics: step-by-step eviction information for landlords and tenants; notices; court forms; filing and response; trial; post-decision steps; legal and housing resources.
  3. Judicial Council of California security-deposit guide: selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/guide-security-deposits-california. Paired official text: Civil Code §1950.5.
    Topics: security-deposit return; deductions; pre-move-out inspection; itemized accounting; letters; small-claims disputes.
  4. California Civil Rights Department housing page: calcivilrights.ca.gov/housing. Paired official text: Government Code §12955.
    Topics: California housing discrimination; protected characteristics; reasonable accommodations; complaint process; guides for housing providers and the public.

About this page. Sources are listed by topic. Guide links are the publishing government's own explanation of the law, not ours; each is paired with the official text it explains. Links checked August 9, 2026. This page is not legal advice; the linked sources control. For advice about a specific situation, consult a qualified California attorney.

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