California Landlord Guide — Get Your Action Plan in 60 Seconds
Tenant behind on rent? Damage beyond wear and tear? Holding over after the lease ended? Describe the situation in your own words and get a plain-English breakdown, severity rating, step-by-step next steps, and ready-to-send notices — specific to California law.
Security deposit: you must return it within 21 days of move-out, with an itemized statement for deductions.
Tenant entry: Landlords must generally give 24-hour notice before entering, except in emergencies.
Eviction: you must go through the courts. Self-help eviction is illegal.
California requires landlords to return security deposits within 21 days of move-out, with an itemized statement for any deductions. Eviction requires a court process; landlords cannot lock tenants out or shut off utilities (self-help eviction is illegal).