What Are My Rights as a Landlord in California?
Updated July 2026 for AB 1482, Long Beach Just Cause Eviction Ordinance, and AB 12 security deposit rules
California landlords have the right to collect rent on time, enter with 24-hour written notice, screen tenants fairly, enforce lease terms, serve legally proper notices, evict for just cause, collect a security deposit (capped at 2x rent under AB 12), and raise rent within AB 1482 annual limits. Long Beach adds a local Just Cause Eviction Ordinance with 12 specific grounds. Call RPM Southland at (562) 270-1777 to understand exactly where your property stands.
- Your Right to Receive Rent on Time
- Right of Entry: The 24-Hour Notice Rule Under CC 1954
- Tenant Screening Rights Within Fair Housing Law
- Enforcing Lease Terms: Notices and Timelines
- Security Deposit Rights Under AB 12
- Rent Increase Rights Under AB 1482
- Just Cause Eviction Rights: Long Beach Ordinance and State Law
- What Landlords Get Wrong About Their California Rights
- When to Call RPM Southland
- Frequently Asked Questions
Long Beach landlords operate under one of the most layered legal environments in California, with state law, the AB 1482 rent cap, and the Long Beach Just Cause Eviction Ordinance all running simultaneously on most properties built before 2009.
I’ve been managing rental properties in Long Beach and SE LA County since 2014. One thing I see again and again is landlords who genuinely do not know what rights they have. Some are too aggressive and end up with legal exposure. Others are too passive and end up with tenants who know the law better than they do. This guide is designed to fix that. I’m going to walk you through every major landlord right under California law, what it means specifically for Long Beach, and where the line is between what you can and cannot do. When you finish reading, you should have a clear picture of where you stand on your specific property. If you want to talk through your situation directly, call us at (562) 270-1777.
Before we get into the specifics: the distinction between AB 1482-covered properties and exempt properties is crucial, crucial. If your property is covered, a whole set of limitations applies to rent increases and no-fault evictions. If it is exempt, you have more flexibility, but you still have to follow all other state and local laws. We’ll cover both in detail.
Your Right to Receive Rent on Time
Your most fundamental right as a California landlord is the right to receive rent on the date specified in your lease. California Civil Code does not set a statewide “grace period” by default. If your lease says rent is due on the first and late after the third, that is the contract. You can charge a late fee if it is specified in writing in the lease, and California courts have generally upheld late fees as enforceable when they represent a reasonable estimate of actual damages, not a penalty.
What this right actually means in practice: if rent is not paid when due, you can serve a 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit immediately after the due date passes (or after any contractual grace period you have given). You do not need to wait. You do not need to send reminders. The lease is the contract, and the tenant signed it.
Serving a 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit does not start the eviction. It is the prerequisite to filing an unlawful detainer (eviction lawsuit) if the tenant does not pay. The 3 days are calendar days in most situations, and the notice must be served properly (personal service, substituted service, or post-and-mail under CCP 1162). A notice served incorrectly can invalidate the entire eviction case. That procedural error is one of the most common and expensive mistakes I see self-managing landlords make.
One critical thing many Long Beach landlords miss: if your property is covered by the Long Beach Just Cause Eviction Ordinance, non-payment of rent is one of the 12 enumerated just cause grounds, but you still need to follow the correct notice and filing procedures. Cutting corners on the notice itself, even when the tenant clearly owes you money, can send you back to square one. We handle this correctly every time for our clients across over 730 properties. Call us at (562) 270-1777 if you are facing a non-paying tenant right now.
Late Fees and Partial Payment Rules
California does not cap late fees by statute for residential leases, but courts look for reasonableness. A flat fee of $50 to $100 per month or a percentage of one month’s rent (3-5%) is generally considered reasonable. Accepting a partial payment after a 3-Day Notice has been served can, under California law, waive your right to proceed with that eviction. This is a big, big deal: if a tenant hands you $500 on a $2,200 balance after a 3-Day Notice, accepting that check without a written conditional receipt can legally restart your clock. Know the rules before you take that money.
Right of Entry: The 24-Hour Notice Rule Under CC 1954
California Civil Code Section 1954 gives landlords the right to enter a rental unit, but on specific terms. You must provide written notice at least 24 hours before entry, the entry must occur during normal business hours (8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, unless the tenant consents to a different time), and the reason for entry must fall into one of the permitted categories.
| Entry Reason | Notice Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| To make necessary or agreed repairs | 24 hours written | Most common legitimate entry. Written notice required even for routine maintenance. |
| To show the unit to prospective tenants or buyers | 24 hours written | Must be during normal business hours unless tenant agrees otherwise. |
| To conduct a move-in or move-out inspection | 48 hours written for pre-move-out inspection (CC 1950.5) | Pre-move-out inspection is a tenant right – you must offer it in writing before the tenant vacates. |
| Property inspection (routine) | 24 hours written | RPM Southland conducts inspections every six to eight months at $55 per visit. Written notice delivered in advance every time. |
| Emergency (fire, flood, gas leak) | No notice required | Emergencies are the narrow exception. Do not use this for convenience. |
| Court order or abandoned property | Per order or statute | Follow specific legal requirements; consult attorney. |
The right of entry is real, but the procedure is not optional. A landlord who enters without proper notice has violated the tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment under CC 1927 and may face a harassment claim or civil liability. I’ve seen self-managing landlords use “I just wanted to check on things” as a reason to walk in without notice. That is not a permitted reason, and it is not worth the exposure.
California SB 1410 and Long Beach’s own tenant protections mean repeated unlawful entries, or even entries that technically comply but are designed to harass, can expose you to civil liability. Document every entry, send notices in writing (email creates a paper trail), and stick to legitimate reasons. If a tenant is making access difficult, the right response is a legal notice, not an unannounced visit.
One advantage of professional management is that every scheduled entry for our clients is handled with proper written notice, logged, photographed, and reported. Our inspections are a crucial, crucial part of protecting your asset. We catch lease violations, deferred maintenance, and habitability issues that self-managing landlords often miss for months. At $55 per inspection visit, it is one of the best returns in property management.
Tenant Screening Rights Within Fair Housing Law
You have the right to screen tenants. California’s FEHA (Fair Employment and Housing Act) and the federal Fair Housing Act set the boundaries of that screening, but within those boundaries you have real authority to select tenants based on legitimate criteria. The key is using objective, documented standards applied consistently to every applicant.
You can legally screen on:
- Income: California generally allows a standard of 2.5x to 3x monthly rent in gross verifiable income. Use a consistent written policy and apply it to every applicant the same way.
- Credit history: Credit scores, payment history, outstanding collections, and prior landlord debts are all legitimate screening criteria. Document your minimum credit threshold in writing before you start accepting applications.
- Rental history: Prior evictions, landlord references, and history of lease violations are fair game. California’s AB 2527 (2024) limited some uses of eviction history in screening, so verify current rules apply to your situation.
- Criminal history: This area is heavily regulated. Los Angeles County has specific rules, and Long Beach landlords should consult an attorney before using criminal history as a screening criterion.
You cannot deny an application based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, source of income (including Section 8 vouchers in California), immigration status, or any other protected class. In California, source of income protection is significant: you cannot refuse to rent to a Section 8 voucher holder simply because they have a voucher. Your screening criteria must be facially neutral and consistently applied.
“Every property owner should look at their property as an asset and not just what’s the fee a property manager is going to cost me. So they should ask, how are you going to increase the value of my asset over the time that it’s under your management? Good screening is the foundation of that. One bad tenant can cost you more than years of management fees.”
Miles Williams, Broker/Owner, RPM Southland, DRE #01968830
At RPM Southland, we run every applicant through a documented screening process: income verification, full credit report, rental history check, and reference calls. We apply the same criteria to every applicant. One benefit of this: if a rejected applicant ever files a fair housing complaint, we have a documented trail showing that every applicant was evaluated against the same objective criteria. That documentation is your protection. Self-managing landlords who rely on gut feel and inconsistent criteria are the ones who end up in trouble. Call us at (562) 270-1777 to learn how we handle screening.
Over 730 properties. 95% retention rate. Call (562) 270-1777 for a free evaluation.
Enforcing Lease Terms: Notices and Timelines
Your lease is a legal contract. You have the right to enforce its terms. If a tenant gets a pet when the lease says no pets, installs a satellite dish without approval, sublets a bedroom without permission, or is smoking inside a unit with a no-smoking clause, you can serve a notice to cure or quit. The key is: the violation must be in the lease, the notice must cite it specifically, and the form and timeline must match California law.
| Notice Type | When to Use It | Cure Period |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit | Non-payment of rent | 3 calendar days to pay in full or vacate |
| 3-Day Notice to Perform Covenant or Quit | Curable lease violation (unauthorized pet, smoking, unauthorized person on property) | 3 calendar days to cure the violation or vacate |
| 3-Day Notice to Quit (no cure option) | Incurable violations: nuisance, criminal activity, waste, significant drug-related activity | 3 calendar days to vacate – no cure right |
| 30-Day Notice to Terminate Tenancy | Month-to-month tenants with less than 1 year of occupancy (where just cause does not apply) | 30 days from proper service |
| 60-Day Notice to Terminate Tenancy | Month-to-month tenants with 1 year or more of occupancy (where just cause does not apply) | 60 days from proper service |
| 90-Day Notice (no-fault eviction under AB 1482) | Owner move-in, substantial renovation, or withdrawal from rental market on covered properties | 90 days minimum; relocation assistance required in most cases |
Notice service is not a formality. California law specifies exactly how each notice must be delivered. Personal service (handing it directly to the tenant) is first preference. Substituted service (leaving with a competent adult at the unit and mailing a copy) is second. Post-and-mail (affixing to the door and mailing) is last resort under CCP 1162. An error in the service method can invalidate the notice entirely and requires you to start over, costing you weeks.
One right many landlords do not know they have: you can include lease provisions prohibiting subletting, prohibiting smoking anywhere on the property, requiring renters insurance, and restricting occupancy to named tenants on the lease. These are all enforceable in California if they are in the written lease and were disclosed before the tenant signed. A lease that does not address these issues in writing leaves you without the legal hook to enforce them later.
Security Deposit Rights Under AB 12
California’s AB 12, which took effect July 1, 2024, changed security deposit rules for most residential landlords. The cap is now one month’s rent for unfurnished units, down from two months for most landlords under prior law. There is an exception for individual landlords who own no more than two residential rental properties with a combined total of no more than four dwelling units. Those small landlords can still collect up to two months’ rent as a security deposit for an unfurnished unit.
Your rights with the security deposit are clear and specific:
- Collect it at or before move-in. You cannot collect a security deposit after the tenancy has begun.
- Hold it in a separate account. California does not require a segregated trust account for residential security deposits (unlike commercial), but you must be able to account for it at move-out.
- Deduct for unpaid rent. If a tenant vacates owing rent, you can apply the deposit to the unpaid balance.
- Deduct for cleaning beyond ordinary wear and tear. A dirty oven, stained carpets from pet use, or a unit left in a condition requiring professional cleaning are all legitimate deductions. Normal wear and tear (minor scuffs, faded paint from normal use) is not deductible.
- Deduct for damage beyond normal wear and tear. Holes in walls, broken windows, damaged fixtures, or other tenant-caused damage can be charged against the deposit. Document everything with dated, timestamped photos at move-in and move-out.
You must return the security deposit, with an itemized written statement of any deductions, within 21 calendar days of the tenant vacating. Receipts or invoices for any cleaning or repair work must be included. Miss this deadline and you may forfeit your right to any deductions and face a penalty of up to two times the deposit amount in a bad-faith finding. This is one area where property management pays for itself immediately: we track the clock and handle the accounting correctly every time.
The Obligo deposit-free program we offer to tenants is worth mentioning here. Under Obligo, the tenant pays a one-time fee instead of a traditional security deposit, and Obligo guarantees reimbursement to us and to you for any covered charges at move-out. For tenants, it eliminates the cash burden of a large upfront deposit. For owners, your protection stays intact. In a market where days-on-market is high, deposit-free options can be a meaningful competitive advantage.
Rent Increase Rights Under AB 1482
AB 1482, California’s Tenant Protection Act, limits rent increases on covered properties to 5% plus local CPI, not to exceed 10% in any 12-month period. In Long Beach, that ceiling has ranged from 8% to 10% depending on the current CPI reading. Landlords may make only two rent increases per 12-month period, and the combined total cannot exceed the annual cap.
What this right looks like in practice: if your Long Beach rental is covered by AB 1482 and the current annual cap is 8%, you can raise rent by up to 8% per year, either in one increase or split across two increases. You cannot save unused increases and “bank” them for a future year. Unused capacity under the cap does not carry forward.
AB 1482 Coverage: Covered vs. Exempt Properties
| Property Type | AB 1482 Covered? | What This Means |
|---|---|---|
| Multifamily built before January 1, 2005 (in Long Beach 2026, before Jan 1, 2010) | Yes, typically covered | Rent cap and just cause protections apply. No-fault evictions require relocation assistance. |
| Single-family home or condo owned by a corporate entity or REIT | Yes, typically covered | AB 1482 applies. Required notice of tenant rights must be given. |
| Single-family home or condo owned by an individual with proper notice given | Exempt if notice provided | Individual SFH/condo owners who give written AB 1482 exemption notice at lease signing or renewal are generally exempt from the rent cap and just cause provisions. |
| New construction (within 15 years of Certificate of Occupancy) | Exempt | Properties built within the last 15 years are exempt. The 15-year window rolls forward each year. |
| Owner-occupied duplex (owner lives in one unit) | Exempt | As long as the owner occupies one unit as their primary residence. |
| Subsidized housing (Section 8 project-based) | Exempt in most cases | Separate affordable housing rules govern. Consult attorney. |
The exemption for individual SFH and condo owners is one of the most important and most misused rights in California landlord law. You must give the tenant the required written notice at the time of lease signing or renewal. If you did not give that notice, your property may be treated as covered even if it would otherwise qualify for the exemption. This is a detail where a missed step costs you real money and real flexibility.
For any rent increase less than 10%, California requires at least 30 days’ written notice. For increases of 10% or more (which are not permitted under AB 1482 for covered properties anyway), 90 days’ written notice is required. The notice must be in writing, served correctly under CCP 1162, and must state the effective date and the new rent amount clearly. Oral notice has zero legal effect.
Just Cause Eviction Rights: Long Beach Ordinance and State Law
This is the section where Long Beach landlords need to pay the most attention. Long Beach adopted its Just Cause Eviction Protection Ordinance, which generally applies to residential units built before February 1, 1995 and adds local protections on top of AB 1482’s state-level just cause provisions for covered properties.
If your property is covered by the Long Beach ordinance, you can only terminate a tenancy for one of the enumerated just cause grounds. There are two categories: at-fault just cause (tenant is doing something wrong) and no-fault just cause (you have a legitimate reason to reclaim the property, but the tenant did nothing wrong).
At-Fault Just Cause Grounds (Long Beach, 12 Grounds)
- Non-payment of rent after proper 3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit
- Material breach of a lease term after notice to cure
- Maintaining, committing, or permitting a nuisance on the property
- Criminal activity including drug-related activity on or near the property
- Assignment or subletting without landlord permission, where prohibited in the lease
- Willful damage to the rental unit or common areas
- Refusal to execute a new lease with similar terms at the end of a tenancy
- Refusal to allow lawful entry after proper notice under CC 1954
- Using the unit for illegal purposes
- Employee, agent, or licensee relationship where occupancy is tied to employment that has ended
- Unapproved holdover after a valid notice to vacate
- Domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking by the tenant against another household member (additional procedures apply)
No-Fault Just Cause Grounds (Relocation Assistance Required)
For no-fault terminations on covered properties, you generally must pay relocation assistance equal to one month’s rent (or more, depending on the specific ground and tenant’s tenure). The no-fault grounds include:
- Owner move-in or move-in by a qualified family member: the owner or a specified family member intends to occupy the unit as their primary residence
- Withdrawal from the rental market (Ellis Act withdrawal): the landlord is taking the property off the market entirely
- Substantial rehabilitation: the unit requires major work that cannot be safely done with a tenant in place, with specific permits and compliance requirements
- Demolition: the property will be demolished, with city permit required
If you are terminating a tenancy on a covered property for a no-fault reason under AB 1482, you must provide relocation assistance. Under AB 1482, this is one month’s rent. Under the Long Beach ordinance, the amount can vary. Failing to pay relocation assistance when required can expose you to civil liability and may invalidate the eviction entirely. If you are considering an owner move-in or substantial renovation termination, talk to an attorney and call us at (562) 270-1777 before you serve any notice.
“Committing to a property manager is a big, big deal. When done right, it can be one of the best things you’ve ever done for your asset. When done wrong, it can be catastrophic.”
Miles Williams, Broker/Owner, RPM Southland, DRE #01968830
For properties that are exempt from both AB 1482 and the Long Beach ordinance (typically newer construction, individual-owned SFH/condos with proper exemption notice, or owner-occupied duplexes), the 30-day and 60-day notice rules still apply for month-to-month tenancies. You have more flexibility, but you still must follow proper notice procedures and California’s unlawful detainer process to actually remove a non-complying tenant. Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities) is illegal in California regardless of whether the property is covered or exempt.
What Landlords Get Wrong About Their California Rights
I’ve seen these mistakes from landlords managing their own properties across Long Beach, Lakewood, Downey, and the rest of SE LA County. Every one of them was avoidable.
You must give written notice for any rent increase: 30 days for increases under 10%, 90 days for 10% or more. On covered properties, you also cannot exceed the AB 1482 annual cap. Oral notice does not count. A verbal “I’m raising your rent next month” has no legal effect and will not hold up if the tenant disputes it.
CC 1954 requires at least 24 hours written notice for non-emergency entry. “I texted them this morning” is not written notice in the formal legal sense if it does not meet the service requirements. Some landlords also assume that because they own the property, they can walk in whenever they want. That is exactly backwards. The tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment is a property right during the lease term.
Individual owners of SFH and condos can be exempt from AB 1482’s rent cap and just cause provisions, but only if they give the required written notice at lease signing or renewal. Landlords who skip this step find out at the worst possible moment that their property is being treated as a covered unit. That one page of disclosure, done correctly at lease signing, can be the difference between flexibility and a rent cap.
Paint that has faded over a 3-year tenancy, minor carpet compression from furniture, small nail holes from picture hanging: these are not deductible. California law clearly distinguishes ordinary wear and tear from actual damage. Deducting for wear and tear exposes you to a bad-faith penalty of up to two times the deposit. Do a thorough move-in inspection with photos and a signed inspection report so you have a clear baseline to compare at move-out.
Once you have served a 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit, accepting any payment without a written conditional acceptance agreement can waive your right to proceed with that eviction. Many landlords accept a partial payment thinking they are being reasonable. What they are actually doing is starting the clock over and forcing themselves to serve a new notice for the remaining balance. If a tenant offers partial payment after a 3-Day Notice, talk to an attorney before you take it.
Changing the locks, removing the tenant’s belongings, shutting off utilities, or removing doors or windows to force a tenant out is illegal in California regardless of how non-paying or lease-violating the tenant is. These are called self-help evictions and they are a crime. They expose you to significant civil liability and criminal charges. The only legal way to remove a non-complying tenant in California is through the unlawful detainer process in court. It is slower than you would like, but it is the only path that is legal and defensible.
When to Call RPM Southland
Here is the honest picture: California landlord law is complex, and Long Beach adds another layer on top of it. The AB 1482 coverage question alone requires you to know your property type, age, ownership structure, and whether you gave the right notice at the right time. The Just Cause Eviction Ordinance adds 12 grounds you need to track. The security deposit timeline is strict. The notice forms and service requirements are technical.
I started RPM Southland in 2014 while finishing grad school at Long Beach State. We now manage over 730 properties across SE LA County, with over 900 five-star reviews and a 4.8 star rating on Google. Our 95% client retention rate comes from one thing: we handle the legal compliance correctly, every time, so our owners do not have to.
We offer three guarantees that I believe no other Long Beach property manager matches:
If your tenant leaves in the first 6 months for any reason, we replace them at no additional leasing fee. Zero.
We commit to filling your vacancy within 29 days. If we do not, you pay nothing until we do.
Cancel within 60 days of starting with us if you are not satisfied. No penalty, no contract trap.
Our leasing fee is $399 flat, compared to an industry standard of one full month’s rent. On a $2,400 Long Beach rental, that is a $2,000 difference. Our management fee for standard SFH and condos runs from 5.9% on our Basic plan to 8.9% on our All-Inclusive plan. For properties with 10 or more units, we offer 4.9% pricing. No setup fee. No nickel-and-dimed ancillary charges. What you see on our website is what you pay.
If you are trying to figure out whether your property is covered by AB 1482, whether you need to pay relocation assistance, or how to properly serve a 3-Day Notice, call us at (562) 270-1777. We know Long Beach landlord law because we live it every day across over 730 properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my Long Beach rental property fall under AB 1482 rent control?
AB 1482 applies to most residential rental properties in California that are more than 15 years old and not otherwise exempt. Common exemptions include single-family homes and condos owned by individual landlords who give the required written exemption notice at lease signing or renewal, properties built within the last 15 years, and owner-occupied duplexes. If you are not sure whether your property is covered, the safest approach is to treat it as covered until you verify the exemption applies and that you have given proper notice. Call RPM Southland at (562) 270-1777 for a property-specific assessment.
How much notice do I need to give a tenant before entering my rental property in California?
California Civil Code Section 1954 requires at least 24 hours written notice before entering a rental unit for most purposes, including repairs, inspections, and showings. Entry must generally occur during normal business hours (8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday) unless the tenant consents to a different time. Emergency entry for situations like fire, flooding, or gas leaks does not require advance notice, but you must document the emergency reason. Entering without proper notice violates the tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment and can expose you to civil liability.
What is the maximum security deposit I can collect in California in 2026?
Under AB 12, which took effect July 1, 2024, most California landlords are limited to one month’s rent as a security deposit for an unfurnished unit. The prior two-month limit was eliminated for most landlords. An exception exists for individual landlords who own no more than two residential rental properties with a combined total of no more than four dwelling units. Those small landlords may still collect up to two months’ rent. The full deposit, minus any lawful deductions with itemized receipts, must be returned within 21 calendar days of the tenant vacating.
Can I evict a tenant in Long Beach without giving a reason?
For properties covered by the Long Beach Just Cause Eviction Ordinance or AB 1482, you must have one of the enumerated just cause grounds to terminate a tenancy. You cannot simply decide not to renew a month-to-month tenancy without a qualifying reason. For exempt properties (newer construction, individual-owned SFH/condos with proper exemption notice), you can terminate a month-to-month tenancy with proper notice (30 days for tenants with less than one year of occupancy, 60 days for one year or more), but you still must use the legal unlawful detainer process if the tenant does not vacate. Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings) is illegal in all cases.
Can I refuse to rent to a Section 8 voucher holder in California?
No. California law prohibits discrimination based on source of income, which includes Section 8 housing choice vouchers. You cannot reject an applicant solely because they have a voucher. You can still apply your standard screening criteria (income, credit, rental history) as long as those criteria are applied consistently and do not effectively discriminate against voucher holders as a class. Many Section 8 tenants qualify under standard income criteria when the voucher is counted as income. RPM Southland manages Section 8 tenanted properties and can walk you through the process.
How much can I raise rent in Long Beach in 2026?
For properties covered by AB 1482, rent increases are capped at 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index, not to exceed 10% in any 12-month period. For Long Beach in 2026, the current applicable cap depends on the most recent CPI reading published by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. You may make up to two rent increases per 12-month period as long as the combined total does not exceed the annual cap. Written notice is required: 30 days for increases under 10%, 90 days for increases of 10% or more. Exempt properties are not subject to this cap but still require written notice.
What happens if I do not return the security deposit within 21 days in California?
If you fail to return the security deposit (or a written itemized statement of deductions with supporting receipts) within 21 calendar days of the tenant vacating, you may lose your right to any deductions from that deposit. In cases where a court finds that you acted in bad faith by withholding the deposit, you may be liable for up to two times the amount of the deposit as a penalty, in addition to the deposit itself. The 21-day rule is one of the most commonly missed deadlines in California residential property management. Professional property managers track this automatically for every vacancy.
Can I prohibit smoking and pets in my Long Beach rental?
Yes. California landlords can include lease provisions prohibiting smoking anywhere on the rental property, including inside the unit, in outdoor areas, and in common areas. You can also prohibit pets or limit pets to specific types or sizes, as long as you comply with fair housing requirements for tenants with verified disability-related need for an emotional support animal or service animal. A no-smoking or no-pet clause must be in the written lease to be enforceable. If it is not in the lease, you generally cannot retroactively impose it on a current tenancy without the tenant’s agreement.
Know Your Rights. Protect Your Asset.
California landlord law is not simple. Long Beach adds another layer. Miles Williams and the RPM Southland team have managed over 730 properties across SE LA County since 2014, with over 900 five-star reviews and a 95% client retention rate. We know this market, we know the law, and we know how to protect your investment.
“Committing to a property manager is a big, big deal. When done right, it can be one of the best things you’ve ever done for your asset. We rarely, rarely have to honor our guarantees, because we do the job right from day one.”
Miles Williams, Broker/Owner, RPM Southland, DRE #01968830
Call us today: (562) 270-1777
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