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Kerman is a small city of roughly 15,000 residents in Fresno County, situated in California's Central Valley agricultural heartland. Like many smaller California cities, Kerman has not enacted its own rent control or tenant protection ordinances, meaning renters here depend entirely on statewide laws for their core protections.
Tenants in Kerman most commonly ask about rent increase limits, eviction procedures, and how to recover security deposits. California's Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482) provides meaningful guardrails on rent hikes and no-fault evictions for qualifying rental units, while Civil Code § 1950.5 sets firm deadlines for deposit returns. Understanding which state rules apply to your specific unit is the most important first step.
This article summarizes the key laws affecting Kerman renters as of May 2026. It is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently — consult a licensed California attorney or a local legal aid organization for guidance specific to your situation.
Kerman has no local rent stabilization or rent control ordinance. The city has not passed any municipal code provisions limiting how much a landlord may charge or raise rents beyond what California state law requires.
However, California's Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), codified at Civil Code § 1947.12, provides a statewide rent cap for many tenants. Covered landlords may not increase rent by more than 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI), with a maximum of 10% in any 12-month period. This cap applies to most multi-family rental units that are more than 15 years old and are not otherwise exempt.
Common exemptions from AB 1482 rent caps include: single-family homes or condos where the owner has provided the required written exemption notice, units built within the last 15 years, owner-occupied duplexes, and certain subsidized affordable housing. If your unit is exempt, your landlord may increase rent without a statutory cap, though other lease terms still apply.
California provides Kerman tenants with several important protections under state law:
Habitability (Civ. Code §§ 1941.1, 1942): Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition, including functioning heating, plumbing, weatherproofing, and freedom from pest infestations. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after proper notice, tenants may have the right to repair-and-deduct (up to one month's rent) or to withhold rent under certain circumstances.
Retaliation Protection (Civ. Code § 1942.5): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for exercising legal rights — such as requesting repairs, contacting a housing inspector, or joining a tenants' organization. Retaliatory rent increases, eviction notices, or service reductions within 180 days of a protected action are presumed retaliatory.
Source-of-Income Protection (Gov. Code § 12955): Landlords in California may not refuse to rent to, or discriminate against, a tenant because the tenant uses a housing voucher (Section 8) or other lawful source of income.
No Self-Help Evictions (Civ. Code § 789.3): A landlord may not lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, or cut off utilities to force a tenant to vacate. Self-help evictions are illegal and subject the landlord to actual damages plus a $100-per-day penalty for each day of violation.
Security Deposit Cap (AB 12, effective July 1, 2024): For most residential tenancies, landlords are limited to collecting a maximum of one month's rent as a security deposit (Civ. Code § 1950.5, as amended). Landlords who are small landlords (owning no more than two residential rental properties with no more than four units total) may charge up to two months' rent if the unit is unfurnished.
Under California Civil Code § 1950.5, Kerman landlords are subject to the following security deposit rules:
Deposit Cap: As of July 1, 2024 (AB 12), most landlords may collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit for unfurnished units. Small landlords (owning two or fewer residential properties with four or fewer total units) may collect up to two months' rent for unfurnished units.
Return Deadline: The landlord must return the deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 21 calendar days after the tenant vacates the unit. The statement must be accompanied by copies of receipts for any repair or cleaning charges over $125.
Allowable Deductions: Landlords may deduct only for: unpaid rent; damage beyond normal wear and tear; cleaning needed to restore the unit to its move-in condition; and future repairs for damage the landlord documents with a good-faith estimate if repairs cannot be completed within the 21-day window.
Penalties for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of a security deposit in bad faith, the tenant may sue for the actual amount wrongfully withheld plus a statutory penalty of up to twice the deposit amount (Civ. Code § 1950.5(l)).
Kerman landlords must follow California's formal eviction process. Self-help evictions — such as lockouts, utility shutoffs, or removing a tenant's belongings — are strictly prohibited under Civil Code § 789.3.
Notice Requirements (Civ. Code § 1946.1): For month-to-month tenancies, landlords must give at least 30 days' written notice to tenants who have lived in the unit for less than one year, and at least 60 days' written notice to tenants who have lived there for one year or more. A 3-day notice is used for at-fault situations such as nonpayment of rent or material lease violations.
Just-Cause Requirements (Civ. Code § 1946.2 — AB 1482 / SB 567): For covered rental units, landlords must have a legally recognized just cause to terminate tenancy after the tenant has lived there for 12 months. At-fault just causes include nonpayment of rent, lease violations, nuisance, and illegal activity. No-fault just causes include owner or family member move-in, substantial remodel, demolition, or withdrawal from the rental market. SB 567 (effective April 1, 2024) strengthened enforcement by requiring landlords to actually complete stated renovations and prohibiting re-renting at higher rents for a period after a no-fault eviction.
Relocation Assistance: For no-fault evictions of covered tenants, the landlord must provide relocation assistance equal to one month's rent, or waive the final month's rent (Civ. Code § 1946.2(d)).
Unlawful Detainer Court Process: If a tenant does not vacate after a proper notice expires, the landlord must file an unlawful detainer lawsuit in Fresno County Superior Court. The tenant has the right to respond and contest the eviction. Only a court-issued writ of possession, enforced by the sheriff, can legally remove a tenant.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws change frequently, and local circumstances vary. The information on this page reflects our understanding of California law as of May 2026 but may not reflect the most recent legislative or judicial developments. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed California attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in your area.
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