When neglect forces you out
Constructive eviction is a legal idea that applies when a landlord's failure to maintain a rental makes it effectively unlivable — so even though the landlord never formally evicted you, their neglect forced you out as if they had.
The concept lets a tenant, in the right circumstances, treat the lease as ended and stop owing future rent because the landlord's serious breach deprived them of the use of their home. Common examples include a landlord ignoring a total loss of heat or water, a severe pest infestation, dangerous conditions, or a sewage problem that makes the unit unsafe to occupy.
Generally, to rely on constructive eviction, the problem must be serious, you must have given the landlord notice and a reasonable chance to fix it, the landlord must have failed to act, and you must actually move out within a reasonable time because of the condition.
Because these elements are specific and the consequences significant, this is not a step to take lightly or alone. If you believe conditions are forcing you out of your home, a free, confidential review can help you understand whether constructive eviction may apply to your situation.
This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.