Fighting a No-Fault Eviction: Owner Move-In and Substantial Remodel

No-fault evictions — where the tenant has done nothing wrong but the landlord wants them out for their own purposes — have specific requirements in California. Landlords who don’t follow every requirement give tenants a defense.

Owner Move-In Requirements

For an owner move-in eviction under AB 1482, the landlord must: have a genuine intent to occupy the unit as their primary residence, provide at least 90 days notice, pay relocation assistance equal to one month’s rent before or at the time of notice, and actually move in within 90 days of the tenant vacating. The landlord cannot re-rent the unit for one year after the tenant vacates.

Substantial remodel evictions have even stricter requirements. To evict for substantial remodel, the landlord must: obtain all necessary permits before serving notice, verify that the work cannot be done with the tenant in place, provide 120 days notice, and pay relocation assistance of one month’s rent. Tenants who receive substantial remodel notices without attached permits should not move and should consult the California Tenant Defense System immediately.

The California Tenant Defense System gives renters the exact tools, templates, and step-by-step guidance to fight illegal evictions, recover deposits, and enforce habitability rights. Request your free evaluation here.