The many claims a tenant may have
Tenants can potentially sue landlords for a range of things, depending on what the landlord did wrong and what harm resulted. Often a single situation supports more than one type of claim.
Common bases for tenant lawsuits include breach of the warranty of habitability for serious unrepaired conditions; personal injury or health harm caused by dangerous conditions; damage to personal belongings from the landlord's neglect; wrongful withholding of a security deposit; illegal landlord conduct like lockouts, utility shutoffs, or harassment; retaliation for exercising tenant rights; and issues involving unlawful or unpermitted units. Some of these carry extra penalties on top of actual damages.
Which claims fit depends on your specific facts — the conditions, the landlord's conduct, and the harm you suffered. Because these claims can overlap, it is common to pursue several together where they apply.
You do not have to figure out on your own which claims you might have. Identifying the right claims is exactly where legal guidance helps. If you believe your landlord wronged you and want to understand what you could sue for, a free, confidential review can look at your situation and explain the possibilities.
This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.