Lockouts are illegal self-help eviction
No. In California it is illegal for a landlord to lock you out of your home to force you to leave. This is true even if you owe rent or the landlord wants you gone. A lockout is an illegal "self-help" eviction.
Landlords cannot change the locks, remove doors, or otherwise physically bar you from your home to pressure you out. To end a tenancy and remove a tenant, a landlord must use the proper legal process — giving required notice and, if needed, going through the courts. Only the sheriff, acting on a court order, can carry out an actual eviction.
California law, including Civil Code Section 789.3, prohibits this kind of conduct and allows tenants to recover damages and penalties when a landlord locks them out or uses similar tactics.
If your landlord has locked you out or is threatening to, document what happened and when. A lockout is a serious violation, and you may be entitled to get back in and to compensation. A free, confidential review can explain how to respond and protect your rights.
This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.