California Landlord-Tenant Law: The Verified Rules (2026)
Every value below cites its statute and shows the date we last checked it. Where we haven't verified a rule yet, we say so — we never guess at the law.
Security deposits
Maximum deposit
VerifiedOne month's rent (AB 12, effective July 1, 2024). A small landlord who owns no more than 2 residential properties with 4 or fewer total units may collect up to two months' rent.
Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 · Last verified June 12, 2026 · Deposit interest tool for California →
Return deadline
Verified21 days
Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 · Last verified June 1, 2026 · Deposit return tool for California →
Itemized statement required
VerifiedYes
Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 · Last verified June 1, 2026 · Deposit return tool for California →
Rent, fees, and notice
Late fee limit
Spot-check advisedNo statutory cap (must be reasonable)
California has no statutory percentage cap, but a late fee must be a reasonable pre-estimate of the landlord's actual damages. Courts often treat fees above ~5–6% of rent as suspect.
Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1671 · Last verified June 1, 2026 · Late fee tool for California →
Late fee grace period
Spot-check advised0 days
Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1671 · Last verified June 1, 2026 · Late fee tool for California →
Rent increase notice
Verified30 days
AB 1482 caps annual increases at 5% + local CPI (max 10%) for most units more than 15 years old. Many cities (LA, SF, Oakland) have stricter local control.
Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 827 · Last verified June 1, 2026 · Rent increase notice tool for California →
Entry notice
Verified24 hours
Cal. Civ. Code § 1954(d)(1) requires 'reasonable notice in writing' and states that 24 hours 'shall be presumed to be reasonable notice in absence of evidence to the contrary' — it is a rebuttable presumption, not a fixed minimum. Notice mailed at least 6 days before entry is also presumed reasonable. For showings to prospective or actual purchasers, notice may be given orally if the tenant was notified in writing within the prior 120 days that the property is for sale (24 hours again presumed reasonable).
Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1954(d)(1) · Last verified August 3, 2026
The California Landlord Law Cheat Sheet
Everything on this page as a one-page PDF — plus an email when a California rule changes.
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Not legal advice. LandlordKit provides general informational tools, not legal advice. Landlord-tenant laws change and vary by city and county. Verify the cited statute and consult a licensed attorney before acting on any result.