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.
From the California Legislature, read Oct 1, 2026.Show the law
“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 …”
State law applies here too. Where both cover a rental, the stricter city rule usually wins; each rule below says so.
California lawDepends on the building
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Set to be repealed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
The law, word for word
“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 …”
From Jan 1, 2027: retaliation for using rent rules is banned.
Who it covers
Buildings with a first certificate of occupancy on or before Feb 1, 1995.
Not owner-occupied buildings with 2 units or fewer.
Covers: Rental units covered by Chapter 4-46.
Exemptions: Same as Chapter 4-46 (§ 4-46-110).
Starts
Jan 1, 2027
Enacted
Feb 2, 2026
The law, word for word
“It shall be unlawful for a Landlord to retaliate against a Tenant for the Tenant’s assertion or
exercise of rights under this Chapter in any manner, including taking action to terminate a
tenancy except when allowed under applicable law …”
San Leandro Mun. Code § 4-46-150 · sanleandro.org · Retrieved Oct 4, 2026