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Calabasas is an affluent city of roughly 25,000 residents in the western San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles County. Like many smaller California cities, Calabasas does not have its own rent control or rent stabilization ordinance — renters here rely entirely on California's statewide tenant protection laws for most housing issues.
Tenants in Calabasas most commonly ask about rent increase limits, security deposit rules, and eviction protections. The key state statutes are the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482, codified at Civ. Code §§ 1947.12 and 1946.2), the security deposit law (Civ. Code § 1950.5 as amended by AB 12), and the habitability and anti-retaliation provisions of Civ. Code §§ 1941–1942.5.
This article summarizes the laws that apply to Calabasas renters as of May 2026. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change; always verify current rules with a licensed California attorney or a qualified tenant-rights organization.
Calabasas has no local rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. The city has not enacted any municipal code provisions that cap rents, require just-cause eviction beyond state minimums, or impose additional landlord registration requirements tied to rent limits.
California's statewide AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019, Civ. Code § 1947.12) does apply to many Calabasas rentals. Under AB 1482, annual rent increases for covered units are capped at 5% plus the regional Consumer Price Index (CPI), not to exceed 10%. For the period August 2025–July 2026, the statewide cap works out to approximately 6.3% for the Los Angeles region (5% + 1.3% CPI). AB 1482 covers most residential units built before January 1, 2005, that are not otherwise exempt (e.g., single-family homes with proper exemption notice, condos sold separately, or units with affordable housing deed restrictions).
Because there is no local ordinance, landlords of exempt properties — such as single-family rentals with a proper AB 1482 exemption notice or newer construction — may raise rents by any amount with proper advance written notice.
Several California statutes provide meaningful protections to Calabasas renters:
Rent Cap (AB 1482 / Civ. Code § 1947.12): For covered units, annual rent increases are capped at 5% + local CPI, with a 10% ceiling. Landlords may not impose more than two rent increases in any 12-month period, and the combined total may not exceed the cap.
Just-Cause Eviction (AB 1482 / Civ. Code § 1946.2): Once a tenant has continuously occupied a covered unit for 12 months, the landlord must have just cause to terminate the tenancy. At-fault causes include non-payment of rent, lease violations, and criminal activity. No-fault causes (e.g., owner move-in, substantial remodel, removal from market) require the landlord to pay the tenant one month's rent as relocation assistance. SB 567 (effective April 1, 2024) tightened these no-fault provisions and added verification requirements.
Security Deposit Cap (AB 12 / Civ. Code § 1950.5): Effective July 1, 2024, landlords may collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit for most residential tenancies, regardless of whether the unit is furnished or unfurnished. Landlords must return the deposit — with an itemized statement of any deductions — within 21 calendar days of the tenant vacating. Wrongful withholding exposes the landlord to liability for the amount wrongfully withheld plus up to twice that amount in statutory damages (Civ. Code § 1950.5(l)).
Notice to Terminate (Civ. Code § 1946.1): Month-to-month tenants who have lived in a unit for fewer than one year are entitled to at least 30 days' advance written notice before termination. Tenants who have occupied a unit for one year or more must receive at least 60 days' advance written notice.
Habitability (Civ. Code §§ 1941.1, 1942): Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition — including weatherproofing, working plumbing, heating, and freedom from vermin. If a landlord fails to make repairs after proper notice, tenants may have the right to repair-and-deduct (up to one month's rent) or, in serious cases, to vacate and withhold rent.
Anti-Retaliation (Civ. Code § 1942.5): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for asserting habitability rights, contacting a government agency, or exercising other legally protected rights. Retaliatory rent increases, eviction notices, or service reductions within 180 days of protected activity are presumed retaliatory.
Source-of-Income Discrimination (Gov. Code § 12955): It is unlawful in California to refuse to rent or to discriminate against a tenant based on their source of income, including housing vouchers (Section 8).
Self-Help Eviction Prohibition (Civ. Code § 789.3): Landlords may not lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, or shut off utilities to force a tenant out. Such conduct is unlawful and may entitle the tenant to actual damages plus $100 per day of violation.
Under California Civil Code § 1950.5, as amended by AB 12 (effective July 1, 2024), residential landlords in Calabasas may collect a security deposit of no more than one month's rent, regardless of whether the unit is furnished. (A narrow exception permits up to two months for small landlords who own no more than two residential rental properties totaling no more than four units, and only for units not covered by AB 1482 — but even this exception caps deposits at two months.)
The deposit may be used only for unpaid rent, cleaning the unit if left dirtier than when received, repairing damage beyond normal wear and tear, and costs arising from early termination of a lease if the lease allows it.
After you move out, the landlord must mail or personally deliver an itemized statement of deductions and any remaining refund within 21 calendar days. If the landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit, you may sue in small claims court for the amount withheld plus up to twice that amount in additional statutory damages for bad-faith withholding (Civ. Code § 1950.5(l)). Request a pre-move-out inspection (Civ. Code § 1950.5(f)(1)) to give yourself the opportunity to cure deficiencies before the landlord deducts from your deposit.
California law governs the entire eviction process for Calabasas rentals. Landlords must strictly follow statutory procedures; any deviation can invalidate the eviction.
Notice Requirements: Before filing in court, a landlord must serve a written notice. Common notice types include: a 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit (for non-payment of rent); a 3-Day Notice to Cure or Quit (for lease violations); a 3-Day Unconditional Quit Notice (for serious violations such as criminal activity or substantial damage); and a 30- or 60-Day Notice to Terminate for month-to-month tenancies (30 days if the tenant has been there under one year; 60 days if one year or longer — Civ. Code § 1946.1).
Just-Cause Requirement (Civ. Code § 1946.2): If the tenant has occupied the unit for 12 or more months, the landlord must state a legally recognized just cause on the notice. No-fault just causes (owner move-in, substantial remodel, withdrawal of unit from rental market under Ellis Act) require the landlord to provide at least 90 days' notice and pay one month's rent as relocation assistance.
Court Process (Unlawful Detainer): If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an Unlawful Detainer (UD) lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The tenant has five business days to respond after being served with the summons and complaint. Failure to respond results in a default judgment. If the tenant responds, a trial date is typically set within 20 days. A judgment for possession allows the landlord to obtain a writ of possession; a levying officer (sheriff or marshal) enforces the writ.
Self-Help Eviction Prohibition (Civ. Code § 789.3): Landlords may not force a tenant out by changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities. These acts are illegal regardless of whether the tenant owes rent. Violators face liability for actual damages plus $100 per day.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant and landlord rights depend on the specific facts of each situation, and laws change frequently. Calabasas renters should verify current requirements with a licensed California attorney or a qualified tenant-rights organization before taking any legal action.
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