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Landlord Harassment · California Tenant Rights

Can my landlord enter my home whenever they want?

California’s landlord entry rules (§1954)

No. In California, a landlord generally cannot enter your home whenever they please. The law limits when and how a landlord can come in, and repeatedly ignoring these rules can be a form of harassment.

Under Civil Code Section 1954, a landlord usually must give you proper advance notice — commonly at least 24 hours in writing — and can generally enter only for specific reasons, such as making repairs, showing the unit, or in a genuine emergency. Entry is normally expected during reasonable business hours. In a true emergency, like a fire or major leak, immediate entry is allowed.

A landlord who enters without notice again and again, shows up unannounced, or uses "inspections" as an excuse to intrude on your privacy may be violating your rights. Abuse of entry is specifically the kind of conduct the harassment laws address.

If your landlord is entering your home without proper notice or using entry to intimidate you, that is not allowed. Keep a record of each incident. A free, confidential review can explain your rights and options.

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

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