Tehachapi · Renting & eviction
Renting in Tehachapi: the rules that apply
Tehachapi's own rules cover only relocation costs for unsafe rental property and protection against retaliation for using legal rights. Tehachapi has no rent control or just-cause rule of its own, so state law applies.
Key points
- State cap: State law caps increases on covered units at 8.6% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: After 12 months of lawful occupancy, state law allows ending a tenancy on a covered unit only for a just cause.
- Ending a tenancy: State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year.
- Unsafe property: Under city rules, the owner of unsafe or unfit rental property pays relocation costs as state and federal law require, with no local amount.
- Retaliation: Tehachapi protects tenants exercising state or local rights. State law: 180-day retaliation ban after habitability complaints if current on rent, once per 12 months.
- Security deposits: State law limits deposits to one month's rent, or two for some small landlords, with return due within 21 calendar days after move-out.
Each rule below is marked Tehachapi 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 Tehachapi 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 Tehachapi 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
| Amount |
|
|---|---|
| When relocation is owed |
|
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
We found no Tehachapi rule on this in the Tehachapi 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. |
|---|---|
| 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 Tehachapi 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
| Protected activities |
|
|---|
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 Tehachapi 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 Tehachapi 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 Tehachapi 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 →
Short-term rentals
| Allowed |
|
|---|---|
| Permit or registration |
|
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Tehachapi?
State law caps increases on covered units at 8.6% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Does a landlord in Tehachapi need a reason to evict?
After 12 months of lawful occupancy, state law allows ending a tenancy on a covered unit only for a just cause.
Does a Tehachapi landlord have to pay relocation?
Under city rules, the owner of unsafe or unfit rental property pays relocation costs as state and federal law require, with no local amount.
How much notice does a Tehachapi landlord have to give?
State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year.
How much can a Tehachapi landlord charge for a security deposit?
State law limits deposits to one month's rent, or two for some small landlords, with return due within 21 calendar days after move-out.
Can I rent out my home short-term in Tehachapi?
Tehachapi's code: Limited. Only short-term rentals outside the downtown boundary that existed when this rule took effect. (The permit must be in good standing, with no changes and the same owner.) (§ 8.68.040); Yes. A short-term rental permit is required first. (§ 8.68.030).
General information, not legal advice.
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