Harassment

Landlord harassment is illegal in California. A landlord may never use force, willful threats or menacing conduct against their tenants. Nor can a landlord do so after a tenant has asserted their rights under law, in accordance with California Civil Code 1942.5. A landlord who violates this prohibition may be held liable.

According to California Civil Code 1940.2, it is unlawful for a landlord to:

• Use (or threaten to use) force, willful threats, or menacing conduct such that it interferes with a tenant's quiet enjoyment of the premises
• Threaten to disclose immigration or citizenship status or information of a tenant, occupant, or other person known to the landlord to be associated with the tenant or occupant
• Threatening to call immigration authorities 
• Taking, depriving, or removing a tenant's  property from their home without permission
• Entering the rental unit without the tenant's consent, and without first providing a proper, 24-hour notice

What is NOT considered harassment?

• An oral or written warning notice, given in good faith, regarding conduct by a tenant, occupant, or guest that violates, may violate, or violated the applicable rental agreement, rules, regulations, lease, or laws
•  An oral or written explanation of the rental agreement, rules, regulations, lease, or laws given in the normal course of business