What Your Landlord Cannot Do: A Practical Guide to Prohibited Conduct

California law prohibits a specific set of landlord behaviors. Tenants who know this list recognize violations immediately — rather than assuming landlord behavior is legal simply because the landlord is doing it.

The Prohibited List

Landlords in California cannot: enter your unit without proper notice (usually 24 hours), change your locks without a court order, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, remove appliances or furniture included in the lease, harass or threaten you into vacating, retaliate against you for exercising legal rights, discriminate based on protected characteristics, or demand sexual favors as a condition of housing.

Each prohibited act has its own remedy. Self-help eviction (lock change, utility shutoff) triggers penalties of $100/day minimum up to $1,000. Retaliation creates a rebuttable presumption for 180 days after protected activity. Discrimination triggers DFEH administrative remedies and civil damages. Knowing the specific remedy for each type of violation helps you respond appropriately.

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. Request your free evaluation here.