Monte Sereno · Renting & eviction
Renting in Monte Sereno: the rules that apply
Monte Sereno has no rent control or just-cause rule of its own, so state law applies. The city adds its own relocation duties for owners whose tenants are displaced in an emergency, for a short time, or for the long term.
Key points
- Rent increases: State law: covered units are capped at 8.6% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027; Monte Sereno has no rule of its own.
- Just cause: State law: after 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner of a covered unit may end the tenancy only for a just cause.
- Long-term moves: City rule: displacement over 60 days earns the greater of 3 months' fair market rent and 3 months' rent, or 3 months' free housing.
- Emergency moves: City rule: in an emergency, the owner gives free temporary housing or advance HUD fair market rent, whichever is greater, plus related costs.
- Rights summary: City rule: within 24 hours of an enforcement action or order to vacate, the owner gives affected tenants a written summary of their rights.
- Ending a tenancy: State law: a landlord gives 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there under 1 year.
Each rule below is marked Monte Sereno code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
CA state law Monte Sereno has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Rent cap right now: 8.6% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.6% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →
Eviction and just cause
CA state law Monte Sereno 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
Monte Sereno code City rule: displacement over 60 days earns the greater of 3 months' fair market rent and 3 months' rent, or 3 months' free housing. City rule: in an emergency, the owner gives free temporary housing or advance HUD fair market rent, whichever is greater, plus related costs.
All 10 Monte Sereno rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
| What a notice must say |
|
|---|
| 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 Monte Sereno 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 Monte Sereno 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 Monte Sereno 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 Monte Sereno 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 Monte Sereno 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 →
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Monte Sereno?
State law: covered units are capped at 8.6% for increases from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027; Monte Sereno has no rule of its own.
Does a landlord in Monte Sereno need a reason to evict?
State law: after 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner of a covered unit may end the tenancy only for a just cause.
How much notice does a Monte Sereno landlord have to give?
City rule: within 24 hours of an enforcement action or order to vacate, the owner gives affected tenants a written summary of their rights. State law: a landlord gives 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there under 1 year.
How much can a Monte Sereno landlord charge for a security deposit?
Monte Sereno 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)).
General information, not legal advice.
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