Domestic Violence Tenants: Special California Housing Protections

California Tenant Defense System | Justice Foundation

California has enacted specific housing protections for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, and elder abuse. These protections allow survivors to terminate leases early, change locks, and access emergency housing remedies without the usual notice requirements or financial penalties. If you or someone in your household is a DV survivor, these protections may be available to you.

Early Lease Termination

California Civil Code Section 1946.7 allows tenants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or abuse of an elder or dependent adult to terminate a rental agreement with 14 days’ notice without the usual financial penalties for early termination. To qualify, the tenant must provide the landlord with documentation: a police report, court protective order, or documentation from a qualified third party (healthcare provider, domestic violence counselor, or attorney) confirming the victim status. The protection applies both to the primary leaseholder and to household members who are victims.

Lock Changes

Survivors can request immediate lock changes to their unit to exclude the abuser — even if the abuser is a co-tenant. The landlord must change the locks within 24 hours of a written request accompanied by qualifying documentation. If the abuser is a co-tenant, the landlord can change the locks without the abuser’s consent once the qualifying documentation is provided. This protection prioritizes the survivor’s immediate safety over normal notice and consent requirements.

Protection From Eviction for DV-Related Reasons

California prohibits landlords from terminating a tenancy or refusing to rent based on the tenant’s status as a victim of domestic violence or related crimes. A landlord who evicts a survivor because of domestic violence incidents in the unit — even if the incidents involved disturbances — may be violating the anti-discrimination provisions of California Civil Code Section 1161.3. The Justice Foundation kit covers all DV-related California tenant protections and includes documentation request templates and early termination notice forms.