Indexed from official State Bar of California records · Identity verification · Updated regularly

The RegistryPractice Area · Statewide

Find Tenant Rights Attorneys in California

Counsel for rentals on both sides of the lease, evictions, deposits, and habitability. This is the statewide record for landlord–tenant in California: every attorney on the State Bar of California's official roll whose published practice reaches this area, shown in neutral directory order.

Californians search this field under many names · tenant rights lawyer, tenant lawyer, eviction attorney, eviction defense lawyer, landlord attorney · and the registry answers all of them from the same source. Below: the governing deadline with its citation, what to weigh as you read the record, the questions Californians ask with the code sections that answer them, and landlord–tenant coverage county by county, from Del Norte to San Diego.

The clock & the craft

Statute of limitations

Unlawful detainer deadlines run in days: a three-day notice starts most non-payment cases.

Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161

A tenant served with an unlawful detainer summons has ten court days to respond (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1167). Security deposits must be accounted for within 21 days of move-out (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5).

Reading the roster

Unlawful detainer practice is fast and procedural, so look for attorneys who handle evictions in your county's dedicated UD departments weekly, whichever side you are on. Tenants should ask about fee-shifting clauses in the lease, local rent-ordinance defenses, and legal-aid options given the short response windows; landlords should ask about notice drafting, most lost UD cases fail on defective notices.

Landlord–Tenant · statewide roster

3,518 attorneys on the official State Bar of California roll list landlord–tenant among their practice areas, with an address of record in 51 of California's 58 counties.

3,501 of them hold an active licence; the remainder are recorded as inactive and are not currently eligible to practise.

The largest county rosters are Los Angeles (1,117), Orange (446), San Diego (343), San Francisco (294) and Alameda (165).

20 hold a State Bar Certified Legal Specialist designation, a certification issued by the State Bar's Board of Legal Specialization, and not a rating or a ranking.

For 286, the registry records a language other than English, almost always from a firm website published in that language; that describes the website, not an attorney's own ability.

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Legal information, not legal advice

Landlord–Tenant matters in California

The matters this field covers, as Californians search for them. Each attorney's own profile states which of these they take.

  • eviction (unlawful detainer) defense
  • security deposit disputes
  • rent control and rent increases
  • habitability and repairs
  • landlord harassment and retaliation
  • illegal lockouts and utility shutoffs
  • lease breaks and early termination
  • Ellis Act and owner move-in evictions
  • tenant buyouts
  • roommate and subletting disputes

Landlord–Tenant questions, cited

How much can my landlord raise rent in California?

For most residential property older than 15 years, the Tenant Protection Act caps annual increases at 5% plus regional CPI, never exceeding 10% (Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12). Single-family homes owned by individuals are often exempt if proper notice is given. Local ordinances in cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland impose stricter caps that control when they apply.

When must a security deposit be returned in California?

Within 21 calendar days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement of any deductions and receipts for repairs over $125 (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5). Since July 2024, deposits are generally capped at one month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c), as amended by AB 12). Bad-faith retention exposes the landlord to up to twice the deposit in statutory damages.

Can my landlord evict me without cause in California?

For most tenancies of 12 months or longer, no, the Tenant Protection Act requires "just cause" for termination (Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2), either at-fault (non-payment, breach, nuisance) or no-fault (owner move-in, withdrawal from the market), with relocation assistance owed for no-fault terminations. Exempt properties and shorter tenancies follow ordinary notice rules (Civ. Code §§ 1946, 1946.1).

What can I do if my rental is uninhabitable?

California implies a warranty of habitability in every residential lease; Cal. Civ. Code § 1941.1 lists minimum standards (working plumbing, heat, weatherproofing, no vermin). After notice and a reasonable time, tenants may use the repair-and-deduct remedy up to one month's rent (Civ. Code § 1942), and retaliation for exercising these rights is prohibited for 180 days (Civ. Code § 1942.5).

How fast does an eviction case move in California?

Faster than almost any other civil case. After the notice period (often three days for non-payment, Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161), the landlord files an unlawful detainer; the tenant has ten court days to respond (§ 1167), and trial is set within about 20 days of a trial request (§ 1170.5). Tenants who wait to seek advice often lose by default before defenses are ever heard.

Legal information, not legal advice.

From the registry's blog

Marin Tenants Rights: What California Law SaysA plain guide to Marin County tenant rights under California law: which sections apply, what the public record shows, and where to look next.Mono County Tenant Rights: What California Law SaysWhat California law says about tenant rights that apply in Mono County, which statutes govern, and what the public attorney record can show you.Fighting an Eviction in California: Tenant Defenses ExplainedHow California's unlawful detainer process works, the defenses tenants can raise, and the tight deadlines that decide whether you keep your home.

From the answer files

When must a landlord return a security deposit in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5How much can a landlord raise rent in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12What are my rights if my California rental is uninhabitable?Cal. Civ. Code § 1941.1How much does an eviction lawyer cost in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1717What should I do if I get an eviction notice in California?Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161How much notice ends a monthly rental tenancy in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1Can my landlord enter my apartment without notice in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 1954Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in California?Cal. Civ. Code § 789.3Can a landlord refuse Section 8 vouchers in California?Cal. Gov. Code § 12955What happens to my lease if my landlord sells the property?Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)How do I evaluate an eviction attorney in California?Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6125; State Bar of California

Landlord–Tenant in all 58 counties

Landlord–Tenant in Los Angeles CountySeat: Los AngelesLandlord–Tenant in San Diego CountySeat: San DiegoLandlord–Tenant in San Francisco CountySeat: San FranciscoLandlord–Tenant in Alameda CountySeat: OaklandLandlord–Tenant in Santa Clara CountySeat: San JoseLandlord–Tenant in Sonoma CountySeat: Santa RosaLandlord–Tenant in Humboldt CountySeat: EurekaLandlord–Tenant in Shasta CountySeat: ReddingLandlord–Tenant in Sacramento CountySeat: SacramentoLandlord–Tenant in Yolo CountySeat: WoodlandLandlord–Tenant in Monterey CountySeat: SalinasLandlord–Tenant in Santa Barbara CountySeat: Santa BarbaraLandlord–Tenant in Fresno CountySeat: FresnoLandlord–Tenant in Kern CountySeat: BakersfieldLandlord–Tenant in El Dorado CountySeat: PlacervilleLandlord–Tenant in Riverside CountySeat: RiversideLandlord–Tenant in San Bernardino CountySeat: San BernardinoLandlord–Tenant in Orange CountySeat: Santa AnaLandlord–Tenant in San Joaquin CountySeat: StocktonLandlord–Tenant in Stanislaus CountySeat: ModestoLandlord–Tenant in Ventura CountySeat: VenturaLandlord–Tenant in Tulare CountySeat: VisaliaLandlord–Tenant in San Luis Obispo CountySeat: San Luis ObispoLandlord–Tenant in Alpine CountySeat: MarkleevilleLandlord–Tenant in Amador CountySeat: JacksonLandlord–Tenant in Butte CountySeat: OrovilleLandlord–Tenant in Calaveras CountySeat: San AndreasLandlord–Tenant in Colusa CountySeat: ColusaLandlord–Tenant in Contra Costa CountySeat: MartinezLandlord–Tenant in Del Norte CountySeat: Crescent CityLandlord–Tenant in Glenn CountySeat: WillowsLandlord–Tenant in Imperial CountySeat: El CentroLandlord–Tenant in Inyo CountySeat: IndependenceLandlord–Tenant in Kings CountySeat: HanfordLandlord–Tenant in Lake CountySeat: LakeportLandlord–Tenant in Lassen CountySeat: SusanvilleLandlord–Tenant in Madera CountySeat: MaderaLandlord–Tenant in Marin CountySeat: San RafaelLandlord–Tenant in Mariposa CountySeat: MariposaLandlord–Tenant in Mendocino CountySeat: UkiahLandlord–Tenant in Merced CountySeat: MercedLandlord–Tenant in Modoc CountySeat: AlturasLandlord–Tenant in Mono CountySeat: BridgeportLandlord–Tenant in Napa CountySeat: NapaLandlord–Tenant in Nevada CountySeat: Nevada CityLandlord–Tenant in Placer CountySeat: AuburnLandlord–Tenant in Plumas CountySeat: QuincyLandlord–Tenant in San Benito CountySeat: HollisterLandlord–Tenant in San Mateo CountySeat: Redwood CityLandlord–Tenant in Santa Cruz CountySeat: Santa CruzLandlord–Tenant in Sierra CountySeat: DownievilleLandlord–Tenant in Siskiyou CountySeat: YrekaLandlord–Tenant in Solano CountySeat: FairfieldLandlord–Tenant in Sutter CountySeat: Yuba CityLandlord–Tenant in Tehama CountySeat: Red BluffLandlord–Tenant in Trinity CountySeat: WeavervilleLandlord–Tenant in Tuolumne CountySeat: SonoraLandlord–Tenant in Yuba CountySeat: Marysville

Landlord–Tenant by city

Landlord–Tenant in Los AngelesLos Angeles County · Los AngelesLandlord–Tenant in Long BeachLos Angeles County · Los AngelesLandlord–Tenant in PasadenaLos Angeles County · Los AngelesLandlord–Tenant in Santa MonicaLos Angeles County · Los AngelesLandlord–Tenant in San DiegoSan Diego County · San DiegoLandlord–Tenant in Chula VistaSan Diego County · San DiegoLandlord–Tenant in San FranciscoSan Francisco County · Bay AreaLandlord–Tenant in OaklandAlameda County · Bay AreaLandlord–Tenant in San JoseSanta Clara County · Bay AreaLandlord–Tenant in Santa RosaSonoma County · North CoastLandlord–Tenant in EurekaHumboldt County · North CoastLandlord–Tenant in ReddingShasta County · Shasta CascadeLandlord–Tenant in SacramentoSacramento County · Sacramento ValleyLandlord–Tenant in DavisYolo County · Sacramento ValleyLandlord–Tenant in FolsomSacramento County · Sacramento ValleyLandlord–Tenant in SalinasMonterey County · Central CoastLandlord–Tenant in Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara County · Central CoastLandlord–Tenant in FresnoFresno County · San Joaquin ValleyLandlord–Tenant in BakersfieldKern County · San Joaquin ValleyLandlord–Tenant in South Lake TahoeEl Dorado County · SierraLandlord–Tenant in RiversideRiverside County · Inland EmpireLandlord–Tenant in San BernardinoSan Bernardino County · Inland EmpireLandlord–Tenant in IrvineOrange County · Orange CountyLandlord–Tenant in AnaheimOrange County · Orange CountyLandlord–Tenant in Santa AnaOrange County · Orange CountyLandlord–Tenant in Palm SpringsRiverside County · DesertLandlord–Tenant in StocktonSan Joaquin County · San Joaquin ValleyLandlord–Tenant in ModestoStanislaus County · San Joaquin ValleyLandlord–Tenant in OxnardVentura County · Central CoastLandlord–Tenant in FremontAlameda County · Bay AreaLandlord–Tenant in VisaliaTulare County · San Joaquin ValleyLandlord–Tenant in San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo County · Central Coast

Adjacent shelves of the law

Real EstateCal. Code Civ. Proc. § 338(b)Consumer ProtectionCal. Civ. Code § 1790 et seq. (Song–Beverly)Civil Rights42 U.S.C. § 1983 / Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1

Full Landlord–Tenant rosters, by surname

Aaron – Ziegler · Alameda County165 attorneysAbuelhawa – Yudien · Contra Costa County106 attorneysAbdelmessih – Deangooderham · Los Angeles County223 attorneysDefrance – Howard · Los Angeles County225 attorneysHsu – Mehrabian · Los Angeles County220 attorneysMere – Schapiro · Los Angeles County222 attorneysSchlanger – Zohar · Los Angeles County222 attorneysAbdulla – Lopez · Orange County226 attorneysLuthin – Zuetel · Orange County220 attorneysAbdallah – Zhong · Sacramento County113 attorneysAbad – Lawson · San Diego County166 attorneysLenz – Zyman · San Diego County175 attorneysAbela – Zirbel · San Francisco County290 attorneysAcoba – Zhuo · Santa Clara County119 attorneys

If cost is the concern

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279,000+ attorney records · 58 counties · Official State Bar records