Tenant Rulebook
General information from state law and official guides, not legal advice. Cities and counties can add their own rules.

All states

Landlord and tenant rules in California

The statewide rules on deposits, notice, entry and rent in California, mainly from the California Civil Code sections 827, 1946.1, 1947.12, 1950.5 and 1954, and Code of Civil Procedure section 1161. Checked 29 October 2026.

Security deposits and fees

Security deposit limit

1 month's rent1,2Cal. Civ. Code 1950.5(c)

Since July 1, 2024, most landlords may charge no more than one month's rent as a deposit. Individuals or family LLCs owning no more than two rental properties with no more than four units in total may charge up to two months' rent, except to service members.

Deposit return deadline

21 days1,2Cal. Civ. Code 1950.5(g), (h)

The landlord must return the deposit, with an itemized statement of any deductions, within 21 days after the tenant moves out. Landlords must also photograph the unit at move-out (since April 1, 2025) and at move-in for tenancies starting on or after July 1, 2025.

Interest on deposits

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Late fees

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Notice, entry and rent

Tenant ending a month-to-month tenancy

30 days3,4Cal. Civ. Code 1946.1

A tenant can end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice at least as long as the rent period, which is 30 days for monthly rent.

Landlord ending a month-to-month tenancy

60 days (30 days if under 1 year)3,4Cal. Civ. Code 1946.1

The landlord must give 60 days' written notice, or 30 days if any tenant has lived there less than a year. Separate just-cause rules in Civil Code 1946.2 may also require the landlord to have a valid reason.

Notice of a rent increase

30 days (90 days if over 10%)5,6Cal. Civ. Code 827(b)

For month-to-month tenants, an increase of 10% or less needs 30 days' written notice and a larger increase needs 90 days. Increases in the previous 12 months count toward the 10%.

Statewide rent limits

Lesser of 5% plus CPI or 10% a year (covered units)7,8Cal. Civ. Code 1947.12

Rent on covered units may rise by no more than 5% plus the local cost of living change, or 10%, whichever is lower, in any 12 months. Some housing is exempt, including units built in the last 15 years, and the rule runs until January 1, 2030.

Landlord entry

24 hours9,10Cal. Civ. Code 1954(d)

The landlord must give reasonable written notice, and 24 hours is presumed reasonable (six days if the notice is mailed). Entry must be during normal business hours except in an emergency or with the tenant's consent.

Notice for unpaid rent

3 days11,12Cal. Code Civ. Proc. 1161(2)

The landlord must give a three-day written notice to pay rent or move out. Weekends and court holidays do not count.

Many cities and counties add their own rules, such as rent stabilization or longer notice periods, and a lease can give a tenant more protection than the law requires. Check your local housing office or a legal aid group before you act.

Sources

  1. California Civil Code section 1950.5, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2026-01-01secondary
  2. California Civil Code section 1950.5 (2024 code), Justia (quotes state code), 2025-01-01secondary
  3. California Civil Code section 1946.1, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2026-01-01secondary
  4. California Civil Code section 1946.1 (2025 code), Justia (quotes state code), 2025-01-01secondary
  5. California Civil Code section 827, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2026-01-01secondary
  6. California Civil Code section 827 (2024 code), Justia (quotes state code), 2025-01-01secondary
  7. California Civil Code section 1947.12, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2026-01-01secondary
  8. California Civil Code section 1947.12 (2025 code), Justia (quotes state code)secondary
  9. California Civil Code section 1954, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2026-01-01secondary
  10. California Civil Code section 1954 (2025 code), Justia (quotes state code)secondary
  11. California Code of Civil Procedure section 1161, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2026-01-01secondary
  12. California Code of Civil Procedure section 1161, Public.Law (quotes state code)secondary

"Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read.