California Housing Law

California Housing Law covers state and local rules affecting residential rentals and homeownership, including landlord-tenant rights and duties, leases, rent control and eviction procedures, habitability and repairs, security deposits, fair housing and discrimination, and tenant protections. It also addresses housing-related regulations such as property conditions, building and safety enforcement, and common disputes between renters, landlords, and homeowners’ associations.

4 posts

How to Challenge a Rent Increase Above 10% Under California’s Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) in Los Angeles County

July 22, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

A rent increase above 10% in Los Angeles County is often unlawful for many AB 1482–covered rentals because California’s Tenant Protection Act generally caps annual increases at 5% + local CPI, up to a maximum of 10%. In practice, a landlord raising rent more than that may violate state law unless the unit is exempt […]

California Housing Law

How to Respond to a California 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit When You Have Partial Rent and Proof of Payment

July 19, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

A California landlord can serve a 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit (Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2)), but you may be able to stop an eviction by timely paying the correct amount or challenging a defective notice—especially when you have partial rent and proof of payment. These disputes often hinge on strict notice rules, […]

California Housing Law

How to Break a Lease Early in California for Uninhabitable Conditions (2026 Tenant Rights Guide)

July 13, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

In California, a tenant can legally break a lease early without penalty when the unit is “untenantable” and the landlord fails to fix serious habitability defects after notice and a reasonable time. State habitability rules apply statewide, but outcomes often turn on documentation and timing. This guide explains the 2026 legal standards, step-by-step procedures, evidence […]

California Housing Law Disaster Recovery

The Post-Disaster Landlord Duties You Can Now Enforce Under SB 610

May 1, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

SB 610 creates enforceable post-disaster duties for California landlords, including prompt habitability steps, required notices, and limits on improper rent or displacement practices. It gives renters clearer grounds to demand repairs, safe living conditions, and compliant communication after wildfires, floods, or earthquakes. This article explains what landlords must do, what renters can document, and how […]