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Emigration and immigration

California Attorney General Warns Landlords Against Discriminating Against Tenants

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the federal administration continues its inhumane campaign of mass deportation, creating a culture of fear and mistrust, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issues a consumer alert reminding landlords that it is against the law to discriminate against tenants, retaliate against tenants, or influence tenants to move out by threatening to disclose a tenant's immigration status to ICE or law enforcement. The alert emphasizes that California tenants, regardless of their immigration status, have a right to safe housing and to access housing documents in a language they can understand.

Key Takeaways:

  • California law prohibits landlords from discriminating against tenants based on their immigration status, citizenship, or primary language (Civil Code § 1940.3(b); Gov. Code § 12955(d)).
  • Landlords are not allowed to harass or retaliate against tenants by disclosing their immigration status to law enforcement (Civil Code § 1940.3(b), 1942.5).
  • It is illegal for landlords to refuse to rent to a potential tenant, say that a rental is not available for rent when it is available, charge a tenant more rent, or provide a tenant with less favorable rental terms based on their immigration status (Civil Code § 1942.5).
  • Landlords must provide tenants with housing documents in a language they can understand, including written translations of leases and notices of rent increases (Civil Code § 1632(b), 1632(g)(1)).
  • Tenants have an array of rights and protections under California law, including the right to safe housing and to access housing documents in a language they can understand.
  • The California State Bar offers local certified lawyer referral services to help tenants find a lawyer, and the California Courts' webpage provides information for tenants facing evictions.

Statistics:

  • 22,000: The number of rental housing units statewide owned and managed by the company owned by Mike Nijjar and his family. (Source: suit filed by Attorney General Bonta)
  • 6 to 12: The multiplier used to calculate statutory damages for landlords who disclose a tenant's immigration status to any immigration authority. (Civil Code § 1940.35(b))
  • 22 million: The estimated number of Californians living in rental housing units. (Source: US Census Bureau)

Sources:

  • "Consumer Alert: Attorneys General Bonta Warns Landlords against Discriminating Against Tenants," California Office of the Attorney General, [www.oag.ca.gov](http://www.oag.ca.gov)
  • "California Tenant Laws," California Office of the Attorney General, [www.oag.ca.gov/tenants](http://www.oag.ca.gov/tenants)
  • "Lawsuits against Nijjar Companies," California Office of the Attorney General, [www.oag.ca.gov/report](http://www.oag.ca.gov/report)
  • "California State Bar," California State Bar, [www.calbar.ca.gov](http://www.calbar.ca.gov)
  • "California Courts," California Courts, [www.courts.ca.gov](http://www.courts.ca.gov)

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