Manhattan Beach · Renting & eviction

Renting in Manhattan Beach: the rules that apply

Manhattan Beach has no rent control or eviction rules of its own and adds no other renting rules to state law. State law governs rent increases, eviction, notices, deposits and repairs; its rent cap and just-cause rule apply to covered units only.

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Key points

Rent cap: State law caps covered units at 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027, measured over any 12 months.
Cap limits: The state cap over any 12 months is 5% plus regional inflation or 10%, whichever is lower, with no more than two increases.
Just cause: After 12 months' lawful occupancy, state law lets a covered unit's owner end the tenancy only for a just cause stated in the notice.
Ending notice: State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year.
Relocation pay: On covered units, no-fault just causes require one month's rent as payment or rent waiver, paid within 15 calendar days of the notice.
Security deposit: State law caps deposits at one month's rent, or up to two for qualifying small landlords, returned within 21 calendar days after move-out.

Each rule below is marked Manhattan Beach code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (extracted October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

Rent increases

CA state law Manhattan Beach has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Rent cap right now: 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.7% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →

Eviction and just cause

CA state law Manhattan Beach 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

CA state law Manhattan Beach has no rule of its own on this, so California law 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 Manhattan Beach rule on this in the Manhattan Beach Municipal Code (extracted October 2026). The state rule below applies.

CA state law California law
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. Civ. Code § 827(b)(2), (b)(3)(A)
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. Civ. Code § 1946.1(b), (c)
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) Civ. Code § 1946.1(b)
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. Civ. Code § 1946.1(d)
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. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2)
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 Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(3)
No fee for serving notices	A landlord may not charge the tenant a fee for serving or posting a notice Civ. Code § 1946.1(i)

Security deposits

CA state law Manhattan Beach 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

CA state law Manhattan Beach has no rule of its own on this, so California law 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 Manhattan Beach 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 Manhattan Beach 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 Manhattan Beach 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 →

Short-term rentals

Manhattan Beach code What Manhattan Beach's code adds
Allowed	No. Short-term rentals are not allowed. Applies: In residential zones, except properties in the city's Coastal Zone. § 4.88.020 · code text It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to do any of the following in residential zones, except with respect to properties located within the City's Coastal Zone:
Minimum stay	Paid rentals must be at least 30 consecutive days. Applies: In residential zones, except properties in the city's Coastal Zone. Applies to homes, units and rooms. § 4.88.020 · code text Offer or make available for rent or to rent (by way of a rental agreement, lease, license or any other means, whether oral or written) for compensation or consideration a residential dwelling, a dwelling unit or a room in a dwelling for less than thirty (30) consecutive days.

Condo conversions

Manhattan Beach code What Manhattan Beach's code adds
Relocation help	3 times the monthly rent. Applies: Moving costs for tenants in good standing who move after use permit approval; lost if they gave notice to move before approval. § 10.88.070 · code text The subdivider shall provide moving expenses equal to three times the monthly rent to any tenant, in compliance with all the terms of the subject lease and/or financing, who relocates from the building to be converted after City approval of the use permit authorizing conversion of the units. At least 4 months after tentative map approval. Applies: Relocation help for tenants who do not buy; the subdivider lists comparable nearby rentals every quarter. § 10.88.070 · code text Relocation assistance shall be provided by the subdivider to non-purchasing tenants for a minimum period of 4 months following the tentative map approval.
Tenant approval	Tenants of 75% of the units. Applies: Tenants tell the City in writing they want conversion, 1 vote per unit; one alternative basis for accepting a preliminary application. § 10.88.040 · code text Tenants lawfully in possession of seventy-five percent (75%) of the units indicate in writing to the City their desire (one (1) vote per unit) to convert such units to condominium ownership.
Notice to tenants	At least 60 days before filing the use permit and tentative map application. Applies: Applies to the notice of intent to convert given to each tenant. § 10.88.070 · code text A notice of intent to convert shall be delivered to each tenant at least 60 days prior to filing the application for a use permit and a tentative map. At least 10 days before the hearing date. Applies: Applies to the public hearing notice mailed to tenants; it states their right to speak. § 10.88.070 · code text The Department shall use one envelope to notify the residents by mailing a copy of the public hearing notice to tenants not less than 10 days prior to the proposed hearing date on the application. Within 7 days after the Board's decision. Applies: Applies to mailing residents the Board of Zoning Adjustment's decision. § 10.88.070 · code text The second envelope shall be used by the Department to notify the residents of the results of the public hearing by mailing notification of the decision of the Board of Zoning Adjustment not more than 7 days following the Board's action. Written notice of the planned conversion before renting, starting 60 days before the application. Applies: Applies to prospective tenants. § 10.88.070 · code text Commencing 60 days prior to the submittal of the application, any prospective tenants shall be notified in writing by the subdivider of the intent to convert prior to leasing or renting any unit pursuant to Section 66452.8 of the California Government Code.
Tenants' right to buy	A non-transferable right of first refusal to buy their unit at a discount from the public price. Applies: Applies to current tenants when the application is filed; the discount depends on how long they have lived there. § 10.88.070 · code text Any present tenant of any unit at the time of an application for conversion shall be given a nontransferable right of first refusal to purchase the unit occupied at a discount of the price offered to the general public.
Vacancy-rate test	A vacancy rate of 5% or more. Applies: One of 3 grounds for accepting a preliminary application; not met if conversion would drop the rate below 5%. § 10.88.040 · code text The vacancy rate of multiple-family developments of three (3) or more rental units within the city, as determined by the Community Development Director, is equal to or more than five percent (5%), unless the conversion will result in a decrease of the vacancy rate to less than five percent (5%).

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

How much can rent go up in Manhattan Beach?

State law caps covered units at 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027, measured over any 12 months. The state cap over any 12 months is 5% plus regional inflation or 10%, whichever is lower, with no more than two increases.

Does a landlord in Manhattan Beach need a reason to evict?

After 12 months' lawful occupancy, state law lets a covered unit's owner end the tenancy only for a just cause stated in the notice.

Does a Manhattan Beach landlord have to pay relocation?

On covered units, no-fault just causes require one month's rent as payment or rent waiver, paid within 15 calendar days of the notice.

How much notice does a Manhattan Beach landlord have to give?

State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year.

How much can a Manhattan Beach landlord charge for a security deposit?

State law caps deposits at one month's rent, or up to two for qualifying small landlords, returned within 21 calendar days after move-out.

Can I rent out my home short-term in Manhattan Beach?

Manhattan Beach's code: No. Short-term rentals are not allowed. (In residential zones, except properties in the city's Coastal Zone.) (§ 4.88.020); Paid rentals must be at least 30 consecutive days. (In residential zones, except properties in the city's Coastal Zone. Applies to homes, units and rooms.) (§ 4.88.020).

What happens to tenants when a Manhattan Beach building converts to condos?

Manhattan Beach's code: 3 times the monthly rent. (Moving costs for tenants in good standing who move after use permit approval; lost if they gave notice to move before approval.) (§ 10.88.070); At least 4 months after tentative map approval. (Relocation help for tenants who do not buy; the subdivider lists comparable nearby rentals every quarter.) (§ 10.88.070).

General information, not legal advice.

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Manhattan Beach Municipal Code — full text

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