California Tenant Harassment Laws
California prohibits landlord harassment under Cal. Civ. Code § 1940.2[confirmed ], which bars landlords from using force, threats, or interference with essential services to coerce a tenant into leaving.
Key Rules
- Anti Harassment
- Yes — Cal. Civ. Code § 1940.2[confirmed ] expressly prohibits landlord harassment
- Penalties
- Actual damages, punitive damages, and per-violation statutory damages available
- Prohibited Conduct
- Interrupting utilities, removing doors/windows, interfering with the tenant's right to quiet enjoyment, threatening tenants
- Local Ordinances
- Many California cities (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland) have additional anti-harassment ordinances with stronger remedies
Some citations below have not been confirmed against their official source. Confirm current requirements with local legal aid or an attorney.
Applicable Statutes
Landlord harassment prohibited: makes it unlawful for landlords to use force, threats, or other coercive means to force a tenant to vacate.
Source confirmed · Official state source
View archived excerpt
“…1872. ) TITLE 5. HIRING [1925 - 1997.270] ( Title 5 enacted 1872. ) CHAPTER 2. Hiring of Real Property [1940 - 1954.071] ( Chapter 2 enacted 1872. ) 1940.2. (a) It is unlawful for a landlord to do any of the following for the purpose of influencing a tenant to vacate a dwelling:(1) Engage in conduct that…”
Extortion: relevant when landlord uses threats or coercion to obtain money or force a tenant to give up their tenancy.
Not confirmed against its source · checked
Legal Aid Resources
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