County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs Information Sheet

Landlord Entering Your Unit

By law, your landlord must respect your privacy. However, a landlord does have a right to enter in certain situations. You should cooperate with your landlord if he has a valid reason to request entry.

When the landlord can enter

Your landlord can enter your rental unit for these reasons:

• To respond to an emergency that threatens life or property.
• To make repairs or alterations that are necessary or that you have agreed to.
• To show the place to potential buyers, tenants, or repair workers.
• If you have given permission to enter.
• If you have abandoned the premises, or your landlord has obtained a court order.

24-hour notice required

The landlord must give you 24-hour advance written notice before entering. After this notice is given, he can only enter during normal business hours.

Emergencies

If there is an emergency, 24-hour advance notice is not required.  For example, if your rental unit is on fire or is flooding, your landlord can enter without advance notice.

Abuse of the right to enter

The landlord cannot abuse the right of entry or use it to harass you. If you feel your landlord has abused the right of entry, you should discuss this with him. Show him this brochure. Ask him to provide written notice as required by law and to only enter for legitimate business purposes. If your landlord continues to violate the right to enter, you can contact the police and file a report.  You can also call us for assistance.

Your rights as a tenant

A landlord cannot discriminate on the basis of:

Race	Religion
Sex	Sexual Orientation
Sexual Identity	National Origin
Marital Status	Disability
Age	Children

Complaints of discrimination are handled by the State of California, Department of Fair Employment and Housing www.dfeh.ca.gov. Their number is (800) 233-3212.

When a landlord can refuse to rent

Landlords do not have to rent to tenants that have bad credit, or who have used previous rentals for illegal purposes.

If a landlord refuses to rent to you because of your credit history, ask for a copy of the credit report. You are entitled to one.

Retaliation prohibited

A landlord cannot raise your rent, evict you, or decrease services if you complain to a government agency about the landlord or take part in a tenant’s organization. This protection is good for 180 days from the date you filed your complaint.

Civil Code 1954

Contact us for more information or speak with one of our counselors at (800) 593-8222.  If you live outside of Southern California, call us at (213) 974-1452.

Updated April 22, 2008

For more information:
County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs
B-96 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 W. Temple Street * Los Angeles, CA 90012-2706
Telephone (800) 593-8222 (within LA County)
web site: dca.lacounty.gov