El Monte · Renting & eviction
Renting in El Monte: the rules that apply
El Monte's own rent limits cover mobilehome park spaces only. It has no just-cause or notice rules of its own; state law applies there, and to deposits, harassment, repairs and entry.
Key points
- Mobilehome spaces: City rule: mobilehome space rent may not exceed the July 1, 2015 rent unless the chapter allows it, such as annual CPI increases.
- State rent cap: State law: covered units are limited to 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: El Monte has no city just-cause rule; state law requires a stated just cause to end tenancies in covered units after 12 months.
- Ending a tenancy: El Monte has no notice rule of its own; state law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, 30 if under 1 year.
- Relocation pay: State law: no-fault evictions from covered units require 1 month's rent, paid within 15 calendar days of the notice.
- City backup pay: City rule: when an owner fails to pay, the City Council may choose to pay a displaced tenant up to the amount owed.
Each rule below is marked El Monte code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
El Monte code City rule: mobilehome space rent may not exceed the July 1, 2015 rent unless the chapter allows it, such as annual CPI increases. State law: covered units are limited to 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
All 5 El Monte rules on rent increases, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Eviction and just cause
CA state law El Monte has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Just cause required: After 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner may terminate only for a just cause stated in the notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2(a)). Just-cause eviction in California — the full state rule →
Relocation payments
| Amount |
|
|---|
CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. No-fault eviction relocation assistance: One month's rent (as relocation payment or rent waiver), paid within 15 calendar days of the notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2(d)(3)(A)). Relocation under California's just-cause law — the full state rule →
Notices
We found no El Monte rule on this in the El Monte Municipal Code (checked October 2026). The state rule below applies.
| Notice of a rent increase | At least 30 days' notice for an increase of 10% or less; at least 90 days for an increase of more than 10% Applies: The 10% is measured against the rent charged at any time in the 12 months before the increase, counting all increases in that period together. |
|---|---|
| Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (landlord) | 60 days' notice; 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year Applies: Where the unit is covered by just cause (Civ. Code § 1946.2) or a local ordinance, the notice must also state a qualifying cause. |
| Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (tenant) | At least as long as the rental period (one month for a month-to-month tenancy) |
| 30-day notice when the unit is sold to an owner-occupant | 30 days' notice when a separately sellable unit is in escrow to a natural person who will live there for at least a year Applies: Notice within 120 days of opening escrow, given once, and all § 1946.1(d) conditions met. |
| Notice to pay rent or quit | 3 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays, stating the amount due and how to pay Applies: May be served any time within one year after the rent became due. |
| Notice to cure a lease violation or quit | 3 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays, to perform the broken lease term or leave |
| No fee for serving notices | A landlord may not charge the tenant a fee for serving or posting a notice |
Security deposits
CA state law El Monte has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Security deposit cap: One month's rent, on top of the first month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(6)). Deposit return deadline: 21 calendar days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement of any deductions (Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)(1)). California security deposit law — the full state rule →
Retaliation
| Protected activities |
|
|---|
Also in El Monte's code: Mobilehome Park Rent Stabilization (§ 8.70.170) — mobilehome park spaces only. This page does not summarize it yet.
CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. Retaliation protection period: For 180 days after a tenant complains about habitability (to the landlord or an agency), the landlord may not evict, raise rent or cut services in retaliation (Civ. Code § 1942.5(a), (b)). Retaliatory eviction in California — the full state rule →
Harassment and lockouts
CA state law El Monte has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Lockouts and self-help eviction banned: A landlord may not change locks, remove doors or windows, or remove the tenant's belongings to force a tenant out (Civ. Code § 789.3(b)). Utility shutoffs banned: A landlord may not cut off water, heat, electricity, gas or other utilities to force a tenant out (Civ. Code § 789.3(a)). Tenant harassment and lockouts in California — the full state rule →
Repairs and habitability
CA state law El Monte has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Duty to keep the unit habitable: The landlord must deliver a unit fit to live in and repair conditions that make it untenantable (Civ. Code § 1941). Repair and deduct: A tenant may make a repair the landlord neglects and deduct the cost from rent, up to one month's rent, no more than twice in any 12 months (Civ. Code § 1942(a)). Habitability and repair-and-deduct — the full state rule →
Landlord entry
CA state law El Monte has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Landlord entry notice: Reasonable written notice, presumed to be 24 hours, and entry only during normal business hours (Civ. Code § 1954(d)(1), (e)). Landlord entry notice in California — the full state rule →
Hotel and short-term rental tax
| Tax rate |
|
|---|---|
| Who collects it |
|
Condo conversions
| Relocation help |
|
|---|---|
| Notice to tenants |
|
| Tenants' right to buy |
|
Other El Monte rules on this
El Monte's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Mobilehome Park Rent Stabilization (Ch. 8.70) — mobilehome park spaces only
- Mobilehome Park Rent Stabilization (§ 8.70.170) — mobilehome park spaces only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Does a landlord in El Monte need a reason to evict?
El Monte has no city just-cause rule; state law requires a stated just cause to end tenancies in covered units after 12 months.
Does an El Monte landlord have to pay relocation?
State law: no-fault evictions from covered units require 1 month's rent, paid within 15 calendar days of the notice. City rule: when an owner fails to pay, the City Council may choose to pay a displaced tenant up to the amount owed.
How much notice does an El Monte landlord have to give?
El Monte has no notice rule of its own; state law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, 30 if under 1 year.
How much can an El Monte landlord charge for a security deposit?
El Monte has no local rule on this that we found (checked October 2026); state law applies: One month's rent, on top of the first month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(6)).
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in El Monte?
El Monte's code: 10% of the rent. (§ 3.16.030); The operator collects the tax from each guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3.16.050).
What happens to tenants when an El Monte building converts to condos?
El Monte's code: A Relocation Assistance Program, which may include a relocation specialist, moving expenses and relocation fees. (When the units in the residential project are more than 1 year old.) (§ 16.27.030); 60 days' written notice of the intent to apply for a tentative map for a condo conversion. (§ 16.27.030).
General information, not legal advice.
Ask about a specific El Monte property
Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.
Ask your question