About Landlord Tenant Law In California

The Landlord Tenant Law in California is designed to protect both the renter and landlord. The law applies to rental and lease agreements in residential homes, apartments and condominiums. Landlords have certain regulations they must follow when it comes to rent and evictions. Renters also have regulations they must respect and abide by.

Tenant Agreement

The tenant agreement can either be written, oral or implied. The amount of time the agreement may be is yearly, month-to-month or weekly. It can also be for six months or several years. Once the tenant or renter agrees to the lease, they are responsible for making the rent based on the payment agreement.

Complications

If tenants do not pay the rent on time as agreed on the lease, the landlord has the right to evict them. Landlords cannot evict renters without cause other than the renters' refusal to abide by the lease payments.

In California, unless the signed lease agreement states rent is due in the beginning of the month, renters have the right to pay at the end of the month. Landlords must make this clear on the rent lease at the time of signing and the renter must agree before signing the lease.

Landlords cannot unjustly raise rent. They must put it in writing and deliver the notice to the tenant by mail or in person. With rent increases in access of 10 percent, a notice must be sent out in 60 days. Increases less than 10 percent require s 30-day notice.

Law Involvement

A landlord can sue for unpaid rent if a person did not pay as agreed. However, renters must show why they refused to pay. Landlords cannot discriminate against tenants based on race, physical handicaps and many other reasons. If they do, penalties apply.