Your Rights as a Tenant in California: How Her Second Chance Network Can Help

hscninc
Mar 7, 2025
4 min read

Understanding Your Tenant Rights in California

Renting a home in California comes with certain protections under the law. As a tenant, it’s crucial to know your rights to ensure you are treated fairly and not taken advantage of by landlords or property managers. Many tenants, especially those transitioning from difficult situations such as incarceration or homelessness, may not be fully aware of their legal protections. This blog will walk you through your fundamental rights as a tenant in California and how Her Second Chance Network can support you in securing safe, fair housing.

1. The Right to a Habitable Home

Under California Civil Code 1941.1, landlords are legally required to provide tenants with a rental unit that is habitable and meets health and safety standards. This includes:

Functioning plumbing, heating, and electrical systems
Safe and secure doors and windows
A roof and walls that protect against the weather
Working locks on doors and windows
Proper trash receptacles
Free from vermin or mold issues

If your rental does not meet these basic standards, you have the right to request repairs from your landlord.

How Her Second Chance Network Can Help:If your landlord refuses to make necessary repairs, we can guide you in writing formal repair requests or connect you with legal assistance to enforce your rights.

2. Protection Against Retaliation and Discrimination

California law protects tenants from retaliation by landlords if they exercise their legal rights. This means your landlord cannot evict you, raise rent, or harass you just because you:

File a complaint with the housing authority
Join a tenant organization
Request necessary repairs

Additionally, the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits landlords from discriminating against tenants based on:

Race, color, national origin, or ethnicity
Religion or gender identity
Disability, medical condition, or familial status
Past criminal record (in certain cases)

How Her Second Chance Network Can Help:We offer resources to help individuals who have faced discrimination in housing, especially for formerly incarcerated women who may face unfair biases. We connect tenants with legal support and advocacy groups that can challenge discriminatory practices.

3. Understanding Rent Control and Rent Increases

With the California Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482), landlords cannot increase rent more than 5% plus inflation per year (up to a maximum of 10%). This law applies to buildings over 15 years old but excludes single-family homes not owned by corporations.

Landlords must also provide at least 30-90 days’ notice before increasing rent.

How Her Second Chance Network Can Help:We educate tenants on local rent control laws and offer support if they believe they are being unfairly charged higher rents.

4. Eviction Protections and Just Cause Eviction Laws

Under California law, landlords can only evict tenants for just cause reasons, such as:

Non-payment of rent
Violation of lease terms
Criminal activity on the property

Landlords must provide a 3-day, 30-day, or 60-day notice, depending on the situation.

How Her Second Chance Network Can Help:We assist tenants who are facing unfair eviction by providing legal referrals and resources to contest wrongful evictions in court.

5. Your Security Deposit Rights

A landlord can collect a maximum of two months’ rent for an unfurnished unit and three months for a furnished one as a security deposit. They must return the deposit within 21 days of move-out and provide an itemized list if deductions are made.

How Her Second Chance Network Can Help:We help tenants recover unfairly withheld security deposits by guiding them through small claims court filings if necessary.

6. Your Right to Privacy

Landlords must provide 24-hour written notice before entering your rental unit, except in emergencies. They cannot enter without a valid reason, such as repairs, inspections, or to show the unit to potential buyers.

How Her Second Chance Network Can Help:We help tenants assert their rights if they experience harassment or unlawful entry from landlords.

7. Legal Help and Housing Assistance Through Her Second Chance Network

Many individuals, especially formerly incarcerated women or those rebuilding their lives, struggle with securing stable housing. Her Second Chance Network offers:

* Housing navigation: Helping you find affordable and safe housing options

Legal referrals: Connecting you with tenant rights attorneys

Emergency assistance: Supporting women facing eviction or homelessness

Workshops: Educating tenants on their legal rights

*Advocacy: Fighting against housing discrimination

If you need assistance, reach out to us at: 📧 Email: hersecondc@gmail.com Facebook: Her Second Chance Network *Donate to support housing justice: https://givebutter.com/c/cU0ya0

Final Thoughts

Housing is a human right. Knowing your rights as a tenant in California is the first step in protecting yourself against unfair treatment. Whether you're facing eviction, dealing with an unresponsive landlord, or struggling to secure stable housing, Her Second Chance Network is here to help.

Take Action Today! If you or someone you know needs tenant rights assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us. Together, we can ensure safe and fair housing for all.

#TenantRights #HerSecondChance #HousingJustice #KnowYourRights #FairHousing #CaliforniaRenters