San Leandro · Renting & eviction

Renting in San Leandro: the rules that apply

San Leandro adds an upcoming rent limit for registered units, plus relocation pay, rent review, retaliation and buyout rules. San Leandro has no just-cause eviction rule of its own, so state law applies, and deposits, harassment and entry also follow state law.

Ask about renting & eviction in San Leandro See coverage

Key points

Rent limit: From January 1, 2027, San Leandro limits rent increases on registered units to 65% of the yearly CPI change or 3%, whichever is less.
Rent review: San Leandro tenants facing an increase over 7% above base rent, or a second increase in 12 months, can request non-binding City review.
Just cause: San Leandro has no just-cause rule of its own; state law allows ending a covered tenancy after 12 months only for just cause.
Relocation pay: For landlord-caused move-outs, San Leandro requires 3 times HUD Fair Market Rent or 3 times the rent, whichever is greater, at most $7,000 total.
Move-out notice: San Leandro requires at least 90 days' notice for a landlord-caused move-out, with notice of the tenant's right to relocation assistance.
Buyouts: San Leandro tenants may cancel a buyout agreement up to 30 calendar days after signing, or any time if it breaks the rules.

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

Rent increases

San Leandro code From January 1, 2027, San Leandro limits rent increases on registered units to 65% of the yearly CPI change or 3%, whichever is less.

All 6 San Leandro rules on rent increases, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Eviction and just cause

CA state law San Leandro 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

San Leandro code What San Leandro's code adds
Extra for protected tenants	$1,000. Applies: Landlord-caused move-outs; households with someone 62 or older, a disabled member, or dependent minor children; 1 payment per residential property. § 4-37-305 · code text One thousand dollars for special-circumstances households. A tenant is only entitled to claim a specialcircumstances household payment of One thousand dollars per residential property.
Amount	3 times the current HUD Fair Market Rent for Oakland-Fremont, or 3 times the tenant's monthly rent, whichever is greater. Applies: Landlord-caused move-outs; the tenant's rent is measured when the termination notice is delivered. § 4-37-305 · code text Three times the most current Fair Market Rents as published annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") for the Oakland-Fremont, California HUD Metro FMR Area in the Federal Register, or three times the monthly rent that the tenant(s) is paying at the time the notice of the landlord-caused termination is delivered, whichever amount is greater. The total relocation assistance cannot be more than $7,000. Applies: Landlord-caused move-outs. § 4-37-305 · code text The landlord shall provide relocation assistance, in a total amount not to exceed Seven thousand dollars, where required by Section 4-37-300, to an eligible tenant in the following amounts:
When it is paid	Half within 5 business days after the notice is served; the rest within 5 days after the tenant moves out. Applies: Landlord-caused move-outs. § 4-37-310 · code text the landlord shall pay one-half of the relocation assistance no later than five business days following service of the notice to a tenant of landlord-caused termination and one-half of the relocation assistance no later than five days after the tenant has vacated the residential property. Half within 5 business days of the tenant's written notice to move; the rest within 5 days after moving out. Applies: The tenant chooses to leave after rent increases of more than 12% above base rent within any 12 months. § 4-37-310 · code text the landlord shall pay one-half of the relocation assistance no later than five business days following receipt of written notice that the tenant intends to vacate the residential property and one-half of the relocation assistance no later than five days after the tenant has vacated the residential property.
When relocation is owed	When the landlord causes the tenancy to end. § 4-37-300 · code text No landlord shall effectuate a landlord-caused termination without paying relocation assistance in accordance with this Chapter. Tenant chooses to leave when proposed increases, alone or combined, exceed 12% above base rent in any 12 months. Applies: This counts as a landlord-caused move-out. § 4-37-310 · code text For landlord-caused terminations where a landlord provides a proposed rent increase that raises the rent, or proposed multiple rent increases that cumulatively raise the rent, to an amount more than 12% greater than the base rent at any time during a 12 month period and the tenant elects to not remain in the residential property

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

San Leandro code San Leandro tenants facing an increase over 7% above base rent, or a second increase in 12 months, can request non-binding City review. San Leandro requires at least 90 days' notice for a landlord-caused move-out, with notice of the tenant's right to relocation assistance.

All 5 San Leandro rules on notices, with the code text and the state law underneath →

Security deposits

CA state law San Leandro 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

San Leandro code What San Leandro's code adds
Protected activities	Asserting or using rights under the City's rent limit rules. § 4-46-150 · code text It shall be unlawful for a landlord to retaliate against a tenant for the tenant's assertion or exercise of rights under this Chapter in any manner, including taking action to terminate a tenancy except when allowed under applicable law, reduce any housing services, or increase the rent. Using rights under the City's relocation assistance rules. § 4-37-325 · code text Commencement of eviction proceedings against a tenant for exercising his or her rights under this Chapter shall be considered a retaliatory eviction.
Remedies	Retaliation can be a defense when the landlord sues to take back the unit. § 4-46-150 · code text Such retaliation may be a defense to an action to recover the possession of a rental unit and/or may serve as the basis for an affirmative action by the tenant for actual damages, treble damages and/or injunctive relief as provided herein. The tenant can sue for actual damages. § 4-46-150 · code text Such retaliation may be a defense to an action to recover the possession of a rental unit and/or may serve as the basis for an affirmative action by the tenant for actual damages, treble damages and/or injunctive relief as provided herein. treble damages § 4-46-150 · code text Such retaliation may be a defense to an action to recover the possession of a rental unit and/or may serve as the basis for an affirmative action by the tenant for actual damages, treble damages and/or injunctive relief as provided herein. The tenant can ask a court for an order (injunctive relief). § 4-46-150 · code text Such retaliation may be a defense to an action to recover the possession of a rental unit and/or may serve as the basis for an affirmative action by the tenant for actual damages, treble damages and/or injunctive relief as provided herein. Court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. Applies: Go to whoever wins a retaliation lawsuit. § 4-46-150 · code text The prevailing party in an action for retaliation shall recover costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.

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 San Leandro 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

San Leandro code What San Leandro's code adds
Habitability standard	The housing, health and safety codes that apply. Applies: A landlord's failure to substantially follow these codes can count toward an individual rent decrease. § 4-46-135 · code text the landlord's failure to comply substantially with applicable housing, health and safety codes;
Cutting services	Cutting housing services without lowering the rent counts as a rent increase. § 4-46-135 · code text A decrease in housing services for a rental unit, without a corresponding reduction in rent, is considered an increase in rent.
Tenant remedies	The tenant may file a petition for a rent decrease with the Program Administrator. Applies: The landlord has not lowered the rent to match reduced housing services. § 4-46-135 · code text If a tenant believes that the landlord has not decreased the rent to reflect a reduction in housing services, then the tenant may submit a petition for a rent decrease to the Program Administrator. The Hearing Officer must lower the rent by the value of the reduced services. Applies: On a tenant's petition for a rent decrease over reduced housing services. § 4-46-135 · code text The Hearing Officer shall decrease the tenant's rent by an amount equivalent to the value of the reduced housing services.

CA state law Underneath, California law still 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 San Leandro 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 →

Buyout agreements

San Leandro code What San Leandro's code adds
Filing with the city	Yes, within 3 calendar days after everyone has signed. § 4-46-145 · code text The landlord shall provide the tenant a copy of the buyout agreement when all the parties have signed and shall file the signed buyout agreement with the Program Administrator within three calendar days after all parties have signed.
Time to cancel	Up to 30 calendar days after the tenant signs the buyout agreement. Applies: A buyout agreement that meets all the requirements. § 4-46-145 · code text the right to rescind the buyout agreement any time up to 30 calendar days after the tenant has signed the buyout agreement. Any time, even more than 30 calendar days after the tenant signed. Applies: A buyout agreement that does not meet all the legal requirements. § 4-46-145 · code text A buyout agreement that does not satisfy all the requirements of this Chapter and applicable regulations is not effective and the tenant may rescind the buyout agreement at any time, even after 30 calendar days from the date the tenant signed the buyout agreement.

Short-term rentals

San Leandro code What San Leandro's code adds
Allowed	No. These rentals are prohibited citywide. Applies: Non-hosted short-term rentals. § 4-41-110 · code text The renting, letting, or operating of non-hosted short term rentals in all dwelling units, bedrooms, buildings, structures or properties within the City of San Leandro is prohibited.

Hotel and short-term rental tax

San Leandro code What San Leandro's code adds
Tax rate	14% of the rent charged by the operator. § 2-10-110 · code text For the privilege of occupancy in any hotel, including, but not limited to, any inn, motel, or time-share facilities, each transient is subject to and shall pay a tax in the amount of 14% of the rent charged by the operator.
Who collects it	Each operator collects the tax from every guest at the same time as the rent. § 2-10-120 · code text Each operator shall collect the tax imposed by this Chapter to the same extent and at the same time as the rent is collected from every transient.

Condo conversions

San Leandro code What San Leandro's code adds
Relocation help	Moving expenses equal to 3 times the monthly rent, paid by the subdivider. Applies: For tenants who move after the conversion use permit is approved and follow their lease. Forfeited if notice to move preceded approval. § 5.32.128 · 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. Relocation help, including quarterly lists of nearby comparable rentals, for at least 4 months after tentative map approval. Applies: Applies to tenants who do not buy. § 5.32.128 · code text Relocation assistance shall be provided by the subdivider to non-purchasing tenants for a minimum period of four months following the tentative map approval.
Notice to tenants	At least 60 days before the use permit and tentative map application is filed. Applies: Notice of intent to convert, delivered to each tenant. § 5.32.128 · 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 proposed hearing date. Applies: Public hearing notice mailed to tenants. § 5.32.128 · code text The Community Development 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. No more than 7 days after the Planning Commission acts. Applies: Mailed notice of the Planning Commission's decision. § 5.32.128 · code text The second envelope shall be used by the Community Development Department to notify the residents of the results of the public hearing by mailing notification of the decision of the Planning Commission not more than seven days following the Planning Commission's action. Written notice of the intent to convert before leasing or renting any unit. Applies: Applies to prospective tenants, starting on the date of the notice of intent. § 5.32.128 · code text Commencing with the date of the notice provided for in Subsection A, any prospective tenants shall be notified in writing by the subdivider or his or her agent of the intent to convert prior to leasing or renting any unit pursuant to Section 66452.8 of the California Government Code. The notice of intent must be posted on-site where tenants can readily see it. § 5.32.128 · code text The notice of intent shall be posted on-site in at least one location readily visible to tenants.
Tenants' right to buy	Exclusive right to buy the unit on the same or better terms than the public, for at least 90 days. Applies: Starts when public sales begin or the state's final report is issued, whichever is later. § 5.32.128 · code text Said rights and option shall be effective, irrevocable, and exclusive for not less than 90 days after commencement of sales of units in the project to the public in general or issuance of the final report of the California Department of Real Estate relating to such project, whichever occurs later, unless the tenant gives prior written notice of his or her intention not to exercise the right. A nontransferable first right to buy the unit at a discount from the public price. Applies: Applies to present tenants at the time of the conversion application. § 5.32.128 · 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.

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

Does a landlord in San Leandro need a reason to evict?

San Leandro has no just-cause rule of its own; state law allows ending a covered tenancy after 12 months only for just cause.

Does a San Leandro landlord have to pay relocation?

For landlord-caused move-outs, San Leandro requires 3 times HUD Fair Market Rent or 3 times the rent, whichever is greater, at most $7,000 total.

How much can a San Leandro landlord charge for a security deposit?

San Leandro 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)).

Can I rent out my home short-term in San Leandro?

San Leandro's code: No. These rentals are prohibited citywide. (Non-hosted short-term rentals.) (§ 4-41-110).

What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in San Leandro?

San Leandro's code: 14% of the rent charged by the operator. (§ 2-10-110); Each operator collects the tax from every guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 2-10-120).

What happens to tenants when a San Leandro building converts to condos?

San Leandro's code: Moving expenses equal to 3 times the monthly rent, paid by the subdivider. (For tenants who move after the conversion use permit is approved and follow their lease. Forfeited if notice to move preceded approval.) (§ 5.32.128); Relocation help, including quarterly lists of nearby comparable rentals, for at least 4 months after tentative map approval. (Applies to tenants who do not buy.) (§ 5.32.128).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific San Leandro property

Ask GoCodebook how these rules apply to your address and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on San Leandro

San Leandro Municipal Code — full text

Buying & selling in San Leandro

Building on your lot in San Leandro

San Leandro overview