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Chino Hills is a city of approximately 80,000 residents in San Bernardino County, situated in the Pomona Valley. Like many Southern California cities, renters here commonly ask about rent increase limits, security deposit rules, and what protections exist if their landlord tries to evict them. Unlike some California cities such as Los Angeles or San Jose, Chino Hills has not enacted a local rent control or rent stabilization ordinance.
Instead, Chino Hills tenants rely on California's statewide tenant protection laws, which provide meaningful safeguards on rent increases, just-cause eviction, security deposits, habitability, and anti-retaliation. The most significant of these is the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), which applies to many — but not all — residential rental units across California. Understanding which protections apply to your specific unit is important.
This article summarizes California tenant rights as they apply to Chino Hills renters. It is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently; consult a licensed attorney or legal aid organization for guidance specific to your situation.
Chino Hills has no local rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. The city's Municipal Code does not include any provision capping rent increases or limiting landlord discretion on rent beyond what state law requires.
However, many Chino Hills renters are covered by California's Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), codified at Civil Code § 1947.12. This statewide law limits annual rent increases to 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI), with a maximum cap of 10%, for qualifying residential units. The cap applies to units that are more than 15 years old (rolling), are not single-family homes or condos owned by corporate entities exempt under the law, and are not already covered by a stricter local rent ordinance.
If your unit qualifies under AB 1482, your landlord may not raise rent by more than the allowed amount in any 12-month period, regardless of the number of increases in that period. Units explicitly exempt from AB 1482 include single-family homes where the owner has provided proper notice of exemption, condominiums sold separately from other units, and certain affordable housing units with deed restrictions.
California provides a robust set of statewide tenant protections that apply throughout Chino Hills:
Just-Cause Eviction (AB 1482 / SB 567): Under Civil Code § 1946.2, landlords of qualifying units must have a legally recognized reason ('just cause') to terminate a tenancy after the tenant has lived there for at least 12 months. At-fault just cause includes nonpayment of rent, lease violations, illegal activity, and refusal to allow lawful entry. No-fault just cause includes owner move-in, substantial remodel, or withdrawal of the unit from the rental market — all of which may require relocation assistance. SB 567, effective April 1, 2024, tightened these no-fault provisions and added stricter requirements for 'substantial remodel' evictions.
Security Deposits (AB 12): As of July 1, 2024, Civil Code § 1950.5 (as amended by AB 12) limits security deposits to one month's rent for most residential tenants. Landlords with no more than two residential rental properties totaling no more than four units are exempt and may still charge up to two months' rent. Deposits must be returned within 21 calendar days after the tenant vacates, along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. Wrongful withholding of a deposit can expose a landlord to liability for the amount wrongfully withheld plus up to twice that amount as a penalty.
Habitability: Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition under Civil Code §§ 1941.1 and 1942. Required conditions include weatherproofing, working plumbing and heating, safe electrical systems, freedom from pest infestations, and sanitary common areas. If a landlord fails to make repairs after reasonable notice, tenants may have remedies including repair-and-deduct (up to one month's rent, Civil Code § 1942) or rent withholding under court supervision.
Anti-Retaliation: Civil Code § 1942.5 prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants for exercising their legal rights, such as requesting repairs, contacting a government agency, or organizing with other tenants. Retaliation is presumed if adverse action (rent increase, eviction, service reduction) occurs within 180 days of protected activity.
Source of Income Protection: California Government Code § 12955 prohibits landlords from discriminating against tenants on the basis of source of income, including housing vouchers (Section 8).
No Self-Help Evictions: Civil Code § 789.3 prohibits landlords from locking out tenants, removing doors or windows, or cutting off utilities to force a tenant to leave. Only a court-ordered writ of possession, enforced by the sheriff, constitutes a lawful eviction.
In Chino Hills, security deposits are governed exclusively by California state law under Civil Code § 1950.5, as amended by AB 12 (effective July 1, 2024).
Deposit Cap: For most residential tenants, the maximum security deposit is one month's rent (unfurnished or furnished). An exception exists for 'small landlords' — those who own no more than two residential rental properties totaling no more than four units — who may charge up to two months' rent for unfurnished units.
Permitted Deductions: A landlord may deduct from the deposit for unpaid rent, cleaning costs to restore the unit to the same level of cleanliness it was in at move-in, repair of damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, and costs to restore or replace personal property (such as keys or furniture) if specified in the lease.
Return Deadline: The landlord must return the remaining deposit (with an itemized statement of deductions) within 21 calendar days after the tenant vacates the unit. The statement must include receipts or invoices for any deductions over $125, unless the landlord employs their own workers for repairs.
Penalties for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord in bad faith retains the deposit or any portion of it, the tenant may sue in small claims court (or civil court) for the amount wrongfully withheld plus up to twice that amount as a statutory penalty, in addition to any actual damages (Civ. Code § 1950.5(l)).
Evictions in Chino Hills follow California's statewide unlawful detainer process. Landlords must comply with proper notice requirements and — for qualifying units — demonstrate just cause before proceeding to court.
Notice Requirements (Civ. Code § 1946.1):
Just-Cause Requirements (AB 1482, Civ. Code § 1946.2): For qualifying units where the tenant has resided for 12 or more months, a landlord must have a legally recognized just cause to terminate the tenancy. No-fault evictions (such as owner move-in or substantial remodel) require the landlord to pay one month's rent as relocation assistance, unless the tenant is provided at least 90 days to vacate under certain circumstances. SB 567 (effective April 1, 2024) added stricter requirements: an owner or family member moving in must actually occupy the unit for at least 12 months, and 'substantial remodel' evictions require permits and a minimum 30-day displacement.
Unlawful Detainer Court Process: If the tenant does not vacate after proper notice, the landlord may file an unlawful detainer (UD) lawsuit in San Bernardino County Superior Court. The tenant has 5 business days to file a written response after being served. If the landlord wins, the court issues a judgment and writ of possession. Only the sheriff may enforce the writ by physically removing the tenant — typically with at least 5 days' advance notice.
No Self-Help Evictions: It is illegal for a landlord to remove a tenant by force, change the locks, remove doors or windows, or shut off utilities to compel departure. Such actions violate Civil Code § 789.3 and may expose the landlord to actual damages, punitive damages of up to $100 per day, and attorney's fees.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant and landlord laws can change frequently, and the applicability of specific statutes depends on the individual facts of your situation, including the type of unit you rent and the terms of your lease. You should verify all information with a licensed California attorney or qualified legal aid organization before taking any action. RentCheckMe.com is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation.
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