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Bed Bugs · California Tenant Rights

Can my landlord evict me for reporting bed bugs?

Your protection against retaliatory eviction

No. California law prohibits retaliatory eviction, so a landlord generally cannot lawfully evict or punish you just because you reported bed bugs or asked for treatment.

Retaliation can look like a sudden eviction notice, a rent increase, or reduced services soon after you complained. The timing often tells the story — action taken shortly after you raised the infestation may be unlawful. A landlord can still end a tenancy for a lawful, unrelated reason, but using an eviction to punish you for asserting your habitability rights is not allowed.

This is especially important with bed bugs, since tenants sometimes hesitate to report them out of fear. Keep a record of when you reported the problem and what the landlord did next. If you have received an eviction notice or threats after reporting bed bugs, these matters are time-sensitive — talk to an attorney promptly, and a free review can help.

This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.

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