California law strictly prohibits self-help eviction — the practice of removing a tenant by changing locks, removing doors or windows, shutting off utilities, or harassing them out of the unit without a court order. Landlords who resort to these tactics face severe civil penalties.
The Penalties
Under California Civil Code § 789.3, a landlord who engages in self-help eviction is liable for: actual damages, punitive damages of $100 per day for each day of violation (minimum $250), and attorney fees. Courts take these cases seriously. Tenants who experience self-help eviction can seek an immediate temporary restraining order restoring possession — often the same day.
Documenting the self-help eviction is the first priority. Photograph the changed locks, the removed property, or the shut-off utilities. Get the date and time. Call the police — even if they don’t act, a police report documents the incident. Then file for an emergency TRO. The combination of police report, photographs, and a clear timeline of events supports both immediate restoration and maximum damages.
The California Tenant Defense System gives renters the exact tools, templates, and step-by-step guidance to fight illegal evictions, recover wrongfully withheld security deposits, and enforce habitability rights — without paying an attorney to get started. Request your free evaluation here.
California Tenant Defense System 
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