Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Tehachapi is a small mountain city in Kern County, California, with a population of roughly 15,000. Nestled in the Tehachapi Mountains along Highway 58, the city draws renters looking for a rural setting with proximity to Bakersfield and the greater Southern California region. Tenants in Tehachapi most commonly ask about rent increase limits, security deposit rules, and eviction protections.
Tehachapi has not enacted any local rent control or just-cause eviction ordinance. Renters in the city are covered exclusively by California state law, including the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), which limits rent increases and requires landlords to have a valid reason to terminate covered tenancies. State habitability, anti-retaliation, and security deposit protections also apply.
This article is intended as general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently — consult a qualified attorney or local legal aid organization for guidance specific to your situation.
Tehachapi has no local rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. The city has not enacted any municipal law restricting rent increases beyond what California state law provides.
Under California Civil Code § 1947.12 (AB 1482, the Tenant Protection Act of 2019), landlords of qualifying units may not raise rent more than 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI), with a maximum increase of 10% in any 12-month period. For the 2025–2026 period, the statewide cap is approximately 6.3% (5% + 1.3% CPI) for most regions. This cap applies to most residential rental units in buildings that are at least 15 years old, unless a specific exemption applies (such as single-family homes with proper notice, condos sold separately, or units built within the last 15 years).
Landlords must provide written notice before any rent increase: at least 30 days advance notice for increases of 10% or less, and at least 90 days notice for increases above 10% (Civ. Code § 827). Because Tehachapi has no local ordinance, tenants in exempt units have no cap on rent increases beyond the general notice requirement.
California provides several important tenant protections that apply in Tehachapi:
Habitability (Civ. Code §§ 1941.1, 1942): Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition — including working plumbing, heating, electrical systems, and structurally sound walls and roofs. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs, tenants may be able to repair and deduct the cost from rent (up to one month's rent, twice per year), or in serious cases, vacate and terminate the lease.
Security Deposits (Civ. Code § 1950.5; AB 12 effective July 1, 2024): For most residential tenancies, landlords may not charge more than one month's rent as a security deposit. Deposits must be returned within 21 days after the tenant vacates, along with an itemized statement of any deductions. Wrongful withholding entitles the tenant to actual damages plus a penalty of up to twice the deposit amount.
Just Cause Eviction (Civ. Code § 1946.2; SB 567 effective April 1, 2024): Landlords of qualifying units must have a legally recognized reason — either at-fault (nonpayment of rent, lease violations, criminal activity) or no-fault (owner move-in, demolition, government order) — to terminate a tenancy after the tenant has resided there for at least 12 months. No-fault evictions require the landlord to pay one month's rent in relocation assistance.
Notice to Vacate (Civ. Code § 1946.1): Landlords must give at least 30 days written notice to month-to-month tenants who have lived in the unit for less than one year, and at least 60 days notice for tenants who have lived there one year or more.
Anti-Retaliation (Civ. Code § 1942.5): Landlords may not raise rent, reduce services, or attempt to evict a tenant in retaliation for the tenant exercising a legal right — such as reporting habitability issues to a government agency or joining a tenant organization.
Prohibition on Self-Help Evictions (Civ. Code § 789.3): Landlords may not lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, or shut off utilities to force a tenant to leave. Violations entitle the tenant to actual damages plus a $100-per-day penalty.
Source-of-Income Discrimination (Gov. Code § 12955): Landlords may not refuse to rent or discriminate against tenants on the basis of their source of income, including housing vouchers such as Section 8.
In Tehachapi, security deposits are governed by California Civil Code § 1950.5 and AB 12 (effective July 1, 2024).
Deposit Cap: For most residential tenancies, landlords may charge no more than one month's rent as a security deposit. (Prior to AB 12, landlords could charge up to two months' rent for unfurnished units and three months for furnished units. AB 12 reduced this to one month for most tenancies.)
Permitted Deductions: A landlord may deduct from the deposit for: unpaid rent; cleaning necessary to restore the unit to the condition it was in at the start of tenancy (beyond normal wear and tear); and repair of damage caused by the tenant beyond normal wear and tear.
Return Deadline: The landlord must return the deposit (or the unused portion) together with an itemized written statement of deductions within 21 calendar days after the tenant vacates the unit.
Pre-Move-Out Inspection: Upon request by the tenant, the landlord must perform a pre-move-out inspection and provide a written list of any issues the tenant may correct before vacating.
Penalties for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit in bad faith, the tenant is entitled to the actual amount wrongfully withheld plus a civil penalty of up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld (Civ. Code § 1950.5(l)).
Evictions in Tehachapi follow California state law. Landlords must follow the formal court process — there is no legal shortcut.
Just Cause Requirement (Civ. Code § 1946.2): For qualifying units, once a tenant has lived in the rental for at least 12 months, the landlord must have a valid just cause reason to end the tenancy. At-fault causes include nonpayment of rent, violation of the lease, nuisance, criminal activity on the premises, and unauthorized subletting. No-fault causes include owner or family member move-in, withdrawal of the unit from the rental market, substantial remodel, or compliance with a government order. No-fault evictions require one month's rent in relocation assistance.
Notice Requirements: The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Unlawful Detainer (Court Process): If the tenant does not vacate after receiving a valid notice, the landlord must file an Unlawful Detainer lawsuit in Kern County Superior Court. The tenant has the right to respond and present a defense. If the landlord wins, the court issues a writ of possession, and the sheriff carries out the eviction — typically within a few days of the writ being issued.
Prohibition on Self-Help (Civ. Code § 789.3): A landlord may never lock out a tenant, remove the tenant's belongings, or shut off utilities to force them to leave. These actions are illegal in California regardless of whether the tenant owes rent. Violations can result in actual damages plus $100 per day in penalties.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant and landlord laws change frequently at both the state and local level. The information on this page may not reflect the most current legal developments. Readers should consult a licensed California attorney or a qualified legal aid organization for advice specific to their situation. RentCheckMe.com is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.