Retaliation in Santa Cruz County

It shall be unlawful for a lessor to increase rent, decrease services, cause a lessee to quit involuntarily, bring an action to recover possession, or threaten to do any of such acts, for the purpose of retaliating against the lessee because they have lawfully organized or participated in a lessees' association or an organization advocating for affordable rents or lessees' rights or have lawfully and peaceably exercised any rights under the law.

Interfere with the right of tenants to organize as tenants and engage in concerted activities with other tenants or an organization advocating for affordable rents or lessees' rights; provide property access to tenant organizers, advocates, or representatives working with or on behalf of tenants living at a property; convene tenant or tenant organization meetings in an appropriate space accessible to tenants under the terms of their rental agreement; or distribute and post literature informing other tenants of their rights and of opportunities to involve themselves in their project in common areas, including lobby areas and bulletin boards or prevent lessees from lawfully and peaceably exercising any rights afforded to them under the law.

Any lessor or agent of a lessor who violates this section shall be liable to the lessee in a civil action for treble the actual damages sustained by the lessee, or three months of the dwelling's actual rent at the time of the violation, whichever is greater.

For each additional violation of this section within one year, the lessor or agent of a lessor shall be liable to the lessee for treble the actual damages sustained by the lessee or nine months of the dwelling's actual rent at the time of the violation, whichever is greater.

In any action brought for damages for retaliatory eviction, the court shall award reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party if either party requests attorney's fees upon the initiation of the action or in their initial responsive pleading.