As a landlord in California, there are certain things that you cannot do in order to adhere to the state's landlord-tenant laws. Here are some key things that you need to be aware of:
- Discriminate: You cannot discriminate against potential tenants based on their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. This is prohibited by the Fair Housing Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act.
- Retaliate: You cannot retaliate against a tenant for exercising their legal rights, such as making a complaint about the property or joining a tenant's union.
- Enter the property without notice: Unless it's an emergency, you cannot enter the rental property without providing proper notice to the tenant beforehand.
- Shut off essential services: You cannot shut off essential services such as water, gas, electricity, or heat as a way to force a tenant to vacate the property.
- Remove the tenant's belongings: You cannot remove a tenant's belongings from the property without following the proper legal procedures for eviction.
- Change the locks: You cannot change the locks on the rental property without the tenant's consent or a court order.
It's important to familiarize yourself with the landlord-tenant laws in California to ensure that you are operating within the legal boundaries. Ignorance of the law is not a valid defense, so make sure to stay informed and seek legal advice if you have any questions or concerns.