Tenant Rights in Upland, California

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1. Overview: Tenant Rights in Upland

Upland is a city of roughly 80,000 residents in San Bernardino County, situated at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains in the Inland Empire. Tenants in Upland frequently ask whether the city has its own rent control law, how much a landlord can raise rent each year, and what steps must be followed before an eviction can proceed.

The City of Upland does not maintain a local rent control ordinance for standard single-family or multi-family rental housing. Tenant protections in Upland come entirely from California state law, including the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), the security deposit statute, and the statewide habitability requirements. The city funds the Inland Fair Housing and Mediation Board (IFHMB) to provide free landlord-tenant dispute resolution and housing discrimination services to Upland residents.

This article summarizes the key laws that apply to most Upland renters. It is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change; consult a licensed attorney or a local legal aid organization for guidance on your specific situation.

2. Does Upland Have Rent Control?

Upland has no local rent stabilization or rent control ordinance for standard residential rentals (single-family homes, apartments, or condominiums). The city previously maintained a mobile-home park rent stabilization ordinance capping annual space-rent increases at 3 percent, but the Upland City Council repealed that ordinance in 2025, leaving mobile-home residents without local protections as well.

Because Upland has no local ordinance, standard residential units that meet the eligibility thresholds under California Civil Code § 1947.12 (AB 1482, the Tenant Protection Act of 2019) are subject to the statewide rent cap instead. Exempt units include single-family homes and condos where the owner has provided proper written notice of the exemption, buildings constructed within the past 15 years, and certain other categories listed in the statute.

3. California State Tenant Protections That Apply in Upland

California provides a layered set of tenant protections that apply in Upland:

• Rent Increase Cap (AB 1482 / Civ. Code § 1947.12): For covered units, rent increases are capped at 5% plus local CPI, with an absolute maximum of 10% per year. Only one increase is permitted in any 12-month period.
• Just-Cause Eviction (AB 1482 / SB 567 / Civ. Code § 1946.2): Landlords of covered units must have a valid at-fault or no-fault just cause to terminate a tenancy after the tenant has resided in the unit for 12 months. No-fault evictions (e.g., owner move-in, substantial remodel) generally require 60 days' notice and relocation assistance equal to one month's rent.
• 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 unfurnished units. The deposit must be returned, with an itemized statement, within 21 days of the tenant vacating.
• Notice to Vacate (Civ. Code § 1946.1): Month-to-month tenants who have lived in the unit less than one year must receive 30 days' written notice; tenants who have lived there one year or more must receive 60 days' written notice.
• Habitability (Civ. Code §§ 1941.1, 1942): Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after reasonable notice, tenants may have the right to repair and deduct the cost (up to one month's rent) or, in some cases, to withhold rent.
• Anti-Retaliation (Civ. Code § 1942.5): Landlords may not retaliate against tenants who exercise their legal rights, such as reporting habitability issues to a government agency or organizing with other tenants.
• Source-of-Income Discrimination (Gov. Code § 12955): Landlords in California may not refuse to rent to a tenant solely because the tenant uses a housing voucher or other lawful source of income.
• Self-Help Eviction Prohibited (Civ. Code § 789.3): Landlords may not lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, or cut off utilities to force a tenant to leave. Violations entitle the tenant to actual damages plus a penalty of $100 per day for each day the violation continues.

4. Security Deposit Rules in Upland

Under California Civil Code § 1950.5, as amended by AB 12 (effective July 1, 2024), a landlord may charge no more than one month's rent as a security deposit for most unfurnished residential units. (Small landlords who own no more than two residential properties comprising no more than four units total were given an additional year to comply.)

After a tenancy ends, the landlord must return the security deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 21 calendar days of the tenant vacating the unit. Allowable deductions include unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and cleaning necessary to restore the unit to its condition at move-in.

If a landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of the deposit in bad faith, the tenant may sue for up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus the deposit itself, under Civil Code § 1950.5(l). Small claims court is available for deposit disputes up to $12,500.

5. Eviction Process and Your Rights in Upland

To lawfully evict a tenant in Upland, a landlord must follow the procedural requirements set by California state law. Self-help evictions — such as changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — are strictly prohibited by Civil Code § 789.3 and expose the landlord to significant liability.

Required Notices:

• 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit: Served when a tenant fails to pay rent on time.
• 3-Day Notice to Perform Covenant or Quit: Served for curable lease violations (e.g., unauthorized pet, lease violations).
• 3-Day Notice to Quit (Unconditional): Served for incurable violations such as criminal activity on the premises.
• 30-Day or 60-Day Notice to Quit: Required to terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause for units not covered by AB 1482 just-cause protections; 30 days for tenants residing less than one year, 60 days for one year or more (Civ. Code § 1946.1).

Just-Cause Requirement (Civ. Code § 1946.2 / SB 567): For covered tenants who have resided in the unit for at least 12 months, the landlord must have a valid just cause. At-fault causes include nonpayment of rent, lease violation, nuisance, and unlawful use of the premises. No-fault causes include owner or family member move-in, withdrawal from the rental market, and substantial remodel. No-fault evictions require 60 days' notice and payment of relocation assistance equal to one month's rent.

Unlawful Detainer (Court) Process: If the tenant does not comply with or vacate after the notice period expires, the landlord must file an unlawful detainer (UD) lawsuit in San Bernardino County Superior Court. The tenant has five calendar days to respond after being served with the summons and complaint. If the tenant does not respond, the landlord may obtain a default judgment. If the tenant responds, the case proceeds to a hearing. Only a court-issued writ of possession, enforced by a sheriff or marshal, can legally remove a tenant from the property.

6. Resources for Upland Tenants

• California Department of Justice — Landlord-Tenant Issues — Official state guide covering tenant rights, habitability, security deposits, and eviction procedures.
• California Courts Self-Help Center — Eviction — Plain-language guides and forms for unlawful detainer cases in California.
• Inland Fair Housing and Mediation Board (IFHMB) — Free landlord-tenant information, mediation, and fair housing services for Upland residents; funded by the City of Upland. Phone: (909) 984-2254.
• Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS) — Free civil legal assistance for low-income residents of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, including eviction defense and tenant rights. Rancho Cucamonga office: (909) 980-0982; San Bernardino office: (909) 884-8615.
• Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino (LASSB) — Free legal services for low-income tenants facing eviction, habitability issues, and other housing matters. Phone: (909) 889-7328.

Frequently Asked Questions