The many forms landlord harassment takes
Landlord harassment is when a landlord uses illegal or abusive tactics to pressure, intimidate, or force a tenant — often to make the tenant move out, drop a complaint, or give up their rights. It goes beyond a landlord simply being unpleasant.
California law limits what landlords can do. For example, a landlord generally cannot use threats, force, or fraud to try to make you leave, cannot shut off your utilities or lock you out to pressure you, and cannot repeatedly enter your home without proper notice. Other harassing tactics include removing services, refusing needed repairs to drive you out, constant intimidation, or abusing entry rights to invade your privacy.
The common thread is a landlord using improper pressure or abuse of power, rather than the lawful process the law requires — such as a proper court eviction.
Not every disagreement is harassment, but a pattern of intimidation or illegal tactics often is. If you feel your landlord is pressuring or mistreating you to make you leave or stay silent, a free, confidential review can help you understand whether it crosses the legal line.
This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.