Harassment and lockouts in Salinas

A misdemeanor conviction under this Article shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars for each offense or by imprisonment in the County jail for a period of not more than six months or both, as determined by the court.

money damages of not less than three times actual damages suffered by an aggrieved Tenant (including damages for mental or emotional distress), or for the minimum damages in the sum of two thousand dollars, whichever is greater

In the case of an award for damages for mental or emotional distress, such award shall be trebled only if the trier of fact finds that the Landlord acted in knowing violation of or reckless disregard of this Article.

Any person who violates, or aids or incites another person to violate, this Article shall be liable for an additional civil penalty of up to five thousand dollars for each offense committed against a person who is disabled within the meaning of California Government Code section 12926, et seq., or successor statute, or aged sixty-five or over.

A Tenant prevailing in a court under this Article may be awarded compensatory damages, Rent refunds for reduction in housing services, Tenant relocation costs, imposition of civil penalties up to ten thousand dollars per violation depending upon the severity of the violation or history of violations by this Article by the Landlord, and other appropriate relief, as adjudged by the court.

The court may also award punitive damages to any plaintiff, including the City, in a proper case as defined by California Civil Code section 3294 or successor statute.

Any aggrieved person, or any person, organization, or entity who will fairly and adequately represent the interest of an aggrieved Tenant under this Article, or the City may institute civil proceedings as provided by law against any Landlord violating any of the provisions of this Article

No Landlord, and no agent, representative, or employee of the Landlord, shall engage in any act or omission described below in bad faith. Each act or omission in violation of this section constitutes harassment.

Fail to perform or threaten to fail or perform, repairs or maintenance required by a Rental Housing Agreement or by state or local housing, health, or safety laws.

Fail to exercise due diligence in completing repairs or maintenance once undertaken or fail or follow appropriate industry repair containment or remediation protocols designed to minimize expose to noise, dust, lead paint, mold, asbestos, or other building materials with potentially harmful health impacts.

Take, or threaten to take, any action to recover possession or cause the Tenant to quit the Rental Unit involuntarily, decrease a Housing Service, or increase Rent with the intent to retaliate against the Tenant for the Tenant's assertion or exercise of any right under this Article

Solicit a Tenant for sexual conduct in exchange for protection from eviction, repairs or maintenance of the Rental Unit or rental property, or the fulfilment of an obligation of the Landlord under the Rental Housing Agreement or law.

Abuse the right of access into a rental unit as established and limited by Cal. Civil Code § 1954 or successor statute, including entering or photographing portions of the Rental Unit that are beyond the scope of a lawful entry or inspection.

Remove from the Rental Unit personal property, furnishings, or other items that belong to the tenant or that are part of the Housing Services without the prior written consent of the Tenant, except when done pursuant to the procedures set forth in Cal. Civil Code § 1980 et seq., or successor statute.

Remove or cause removal of a Tenant's vehicle from the rental property or abutting street in violation of applicable law.

Influence or attempt to influence a Tenant to vacate a Rental Unit through fraud, intimidation, or coercion.

Offer payments to a Tenant to vacate more than once in six months, after the tenant has notified the landlord in writing the Tenant does not desire to receive further offers of payments to vacate.

Attempt to coerce a Tenant to vacate with offer(s) of payments to vacate that are accompanied with threats or intimidation.

Threaten a Tenant or their guest by word or gesture, with physical harm.

Engage in verbal or nonverbal abuse of a Tenant or their guest or use verbal or nonverbal actions directed at a tenant or their guest that are likely, or intended, to cause physical, mental, or emotional harm

Engage in any act or omission that interferes with a Tenant's right to quiet use and enjoyment of a Rental Unit, as that right is defined by California law.

Violate a law that prohibits discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), gender, sexual preference, sexual orientation, ethnic background, nationality, ancestry, place of birth, immigration or citizenship status, primary language, religion, age, source of income, military or veteran status, familial status

Refuse to accept or acknowledge receipt of a tenant's lawful rent payment, except as such refusal may be permitted by state law after a notice to quit has been served on the Tenant and the time period for performance pursuant to the notice has expired.

Refuse to cash a rent check or money order for more than thirty days, except as such refusal may be permitted by state law after a notice to quit has been served on the tenant and the time period for performance pursuant to the notice has expired.

Engage in any act that interferes with a Tenant's right to privacy or request information that violates a tenant's right to privacy, including, without limitation, residency or citizenship status or social security number, except as authorized by law.

Misrepresent to a Tenant that they are required to vacate a Rental Unit or otherwise entice a Tenant to vacate a Rental Unit through misrepresentation or concealment of material facts.

Force a Tenant to vacate their Rental Unit and reregister to avoid classification as a Tenant under California Civil Code section 1940.1.

Unilaterally impose or require an existing Tenant to agree to material new terms of tenancy or to a new Rental Housing Agreement, unless:

Take any action to recover possession of a Rental Unit that is exempt from rent increase limitations under this title or any other provision of law by means of a rent increase that is imposed in bad faith with intent to coerce the tenant into vacating the rental unit in circumvention of state and local eviction protection laws.

Prohibit, interfere with, retaliate against, or threaten retaliation against tenant organizing activities or engaging in other political activities when hosted by a tenant.

Other repeated acts or omissions of such significance as to substantially interfere with or disturb the comfort, peace, or quiet of any person lawfully entitled to occupancy of such Rental Unit

The following amenities, supplied in connection with use or occupancy of a Rental Unit, may not be severed from a tenancy without good cause: garage facilities, parking facilities, driveways, storage space, laundry rooms, decks, patios, backyards, gardens on the same lot, kitchen facilities, toilet facilities, or lobbies.

Late fees may not be imposed except if provided for in a written Rental Housing Agreement.