30, 60, and 90-Day Notices: Just Cause Protections Under AB 1482

For most California tenants past 12 months, the era of no-reason terminations is over. A termination notice now needs a stated just cause — and the stated cause has consequences.

What California Law Says

The Tenant Protection Act, Civil Code section 1946.2, requires just cause to terminate covered tenancies after 12 months: at-fault grounds like nonpayment or nuisance, or no-fault grounds like owner move-in or withdrawal, with relocation assistance of one month’s rent owed on no-fault terminations. The notice must state the cause; many local ordinances add stronger rules.

How to Protect Yourself, Step by Step

1. Confirm coverage: most apartments qualify; single-family homes owned by individuals may be exempt only if the required exemption language appears in your lease.
2. Read the stated cause and match it to the statute — an unstated or non-qualifying cause invalidates the notice.
3. For owner move-in claims, note the specifics; the owner or relative must actually move in and stay, and sham move-ins create liability.
4. Confirm relocation assistance accompanied any no-fault notice.
5. Check your city’s ordinance — local just cause rules often exceed state law.

Common Questions

My landlord says single-family homes are exempt from all this. True?

Only when properly owned and only if the exemption disclosure appears in the lease — missing language means the protections apply anyway.

What happens if the owner never moves in after evicting me?

Fraudulent no-fault evictions create damage claims, and several local ordinances add penalties and re-rental rights — keep watching the property and keep your records.