Sources
Where the information in these guides comes from, and when it was last reviewed
The renter and landlord guides on this site summarize California landlord-tenant law as described in the following publications. Each guide was checked against these sources line by line; where the sources differ in wording, the statutory language they cite was followed.
Primary Sources
- California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants' and Landlords' Rights and Responsibilities (2026 edition) — published by the California Department of Real Estate. The most detailed of the three, covering the full life of a tenancy from application through move-out, with statutory citations for every rule.
- Landlord-Tenant Issues — the California Attorney General's summary of the Tenant Protection Act, habitability, security deposits, retaliation, and fair housing, with links to the Attorney General's "Know Your Rights" guides.
- Overview of Landlord-Tenant Laws in California — Nolo's attorney-written overview, updated April 2026, covering rent control, deposits, notices, and small claims limits.
Statutes Referenced
The guides cite the following sections of California law. The text of each is available at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.
- Civil Code § 827 — notice periods for rent increases
- Civil Code § 1940.2 — prohibited landlord conduct to influence a tenant to move
- Civil Code § 1941.1 — habitability standards
- Civil Code § 1942 and § 1942.5 — repair remedies and retaliation
- Civil Code § 1946.1 and § 1946.2 — termination notices and just cause eviction
- Civil Code § 1947.12 — the AB 1482 rent cap
- Civil Code § 1950.5 — security deposits
- Civil Code § 1954 — landlord entry
- Code of Civil Procedure § 1161 — three-day notices and unlawful detainer
- Penal Code § 396 — price gouging during emergencies
Other Resources Linked From the Guides
- California Courts Self-Help: Eviction
- California Civil Rights Department
- California Apartment Association
Review Date
The content of these guides was last reviewed against the sources above on September 4, 2026. Landlord-tenant law in California changes nearly every year, so check the sources directly for any changes since that date.