Montebello · Renting & eviction
Renting in Montebello: the rules that apply
Montebello tenants may petition the Housing Mediation Board for mediation of a rent increase, which stays valid without agreement; its just-cause chapter covers residential rental units in the city. Relocation pay, notice periods, security deposits and landlord entry follow state law.
Key points
- Rent mediation: City rule: a tenant may petition for mediation within 10 working days of a rent increase notice; the increase stays valid without agreement.
- Rent cap: State law caps rent increases on covered units at 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: State law: after 12 months of lawful occupancy, a covered unit's tenancy may end only for a just cause stated in the notice.
- Notice to end: State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
- Relocation pay: State law: no-fault evictions of covered units require 1 month's rent as relocation pay or a rent waiver, paid within 15 calendar days.
- Retaliation: City rule: a tenant evicted for asking for mediation has the remedies the state Civil Code gives for retaliatory evictions.
Each rule below is marked Montebello code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
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Also in Montebello's code: Housing Mediation Board (§ 2.28.180). This page does not summarize it yet.
CA state law Underneath, California law still 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
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CA state law Underneath, California law still 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 Montebello 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 Montebello rule on this in the Montebello 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. |
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| 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 Montebello 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
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Also in Montebello's code: Housing Mediation Board (§ 2.28.130). 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 Montebello 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 Montebello 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 Montebello 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
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Other Montebello rules on this
Montebello's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Housing Mediation Board (§ 2.28.180)
- Housing Mediation Board (§ 2.28.130)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Montebello?
City rule: a tenant may petition for mediation within 10 working days of a rent increase notice; the increase stays valid without agreement. State law caps rent increases on covered units at 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Does a landlord in Montebello need a reason to evict?
State law: after 12 months of lawful occupancy, a covered unit's tenancy may end only for a just cause stated in the notice.
Does a Montebello landlord have to pay relocation?
State law: no-fault evictions of covered units require 1 month's rent as relocation pay or a rent waiver, paid within 15 calendar days.
How much notice does a Montebello landlord have to give?
State law: 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
How much can a Montebello landlord charge for a security deposit?
Montebello 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 Montebello?
Montebello's code: 37% of the rent charged by the operator. (Adjusted each July 1 by the Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County consumer price index, so the current rate may differ.) (§ 3.40.030); Each operator collects the tax from every guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3.40.060).
General information, not legal advice.
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