California Tenant Protection Act – Just Cause Eviction
Can my landlord make me move out?
After a year, only for a good reason.
If it's not your fault, they owe you 1 month's rent or must waive your last month.
Depends on the year the building was built.
Who it covers
- Not buildings less than 15 years old.
- Not owner-occupied buildings with 2 units or fewer.
- Covers: Tenancies of 12+ months (24 if additional adults added); does not apply where a local just cause ordinance applies.
- Exemptions: Transient hotels; certain care facilities; dormitories; shared kitchen/bath with owner; owner-occupied single-family and duplex; CO within previous 15 years; separately alienable non-corporate-owned property with notice; deed-restricted or subsidized affordable housing.
- In force since
- Apr 1, 2024
- Current version since
- Jan 1, 2026
- Set to be repealed
- Jan 1, 2030
“after a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a residential real property for 12 months, the owner of the residential real property shall not terminate a tenancy without just cause, which shall be stated in the written notice to terminate tenancy …”
Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2 · leginfo.legislature.ca.gov · Retrieved Oct 1, 2026
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