California Tenants – A Guide to Residential Tenants’ and Landlords’ Rights and Responsibilities was written initially by the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Legal Affairs Division and substantially revised by the Department of Real Estate’s Legal Section in 2020 and updated in late 2021 to reflect recent legislative activity during the past year. The Department of Real Estate’s Communications and Publications Section was responsible for publishing the booklet. The opinions expressed in this booklet are those of the authors and should not be construed as representing the opinions or policy of any official or agency of the State of California. To ensure the document is useful for the vast majority of readers, the authors have endeavored to balance the competing objectives of providing accurate, current, and complete information of the law without overwhelming readers with nuanced detail and legalese. As a result, not every subject is addressed with the same level of detail. This booklet is intended for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. To the extent that readers have questions or need further guidance, readers should consult an attorney,
legal aid society, landlord association, or tenant advocacy group for advice in particular cases, and should also read the relevant statutes and court decisions when relying on cited material.