California Civil Code 1954 is the state law that controls when and how your landlord can come into your rental home. If you got a letter citing California Civil Code 1954, your landlord is almost always giving you notice of a planned entry. In most cases, that notice must be in writing, and 24 hours is the amount of notice the law presumes is reasonable.
What California Civil Code 1954 Actually Says
The main idea is simple. Your home is your private space, even though someone else owns it. California Civil Code 1954 lists the only reasons your landlord may come in. Entry for any other reason is not allowed by this section.
The allowed reasons include an emergency, necessary or agreed repairs, and supplying needed or agreed services. They also include showing the unit to buyers, lenders, new tenants, workers, or contractors. The landlord may also do the pre-move-out inspection described in Section 1950.5(f). Other reasons are a court order, a waterbed inspection under Section 1940.5, and a home you have abandoned or given up.
The section also sets timing and notice rules. However, some exceptions apply, which the table below shows.
| Provision | Exact rule | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Allowed reasons to enter | Emergency, repairs, services, showings, inspections, court order, abandonment | 1954(a) |
| Time of entry | Normal business hours, unless there is an emergency, you consent at the time, or you abandoned the unit | 1954(b) |
| No harassment | Landlord may not abuse the right of access or use it to harass you | 1954(c) |
| Written notice | 24 hours is presumed reasonable | 1954(d)(1) |
| Mailed notice | Mailed at least 6 days before entry | 1954(d)(1) |
| Oral notice for a sale | Allowed only if you got written notice of the sale within the past 120 days | 1954(d)(2) |
Who California Civil Code 1954 Covers (and Who It Does Not)
California Civil Code 1954 protects residential tenants across California. That typically includes apartments, houses, condos, duplexes, and rented rooms. It applies whether you have a written lease or a month-to-month deal. It also applies whether your rent is high or low.
For example, a tenant in a big complex and a tenant renting a back house get the same basic entry rights. However, some living setups may be treated differently. These can include hotels, some shared housing, and certain group living. If you are not sure you are a “tenant,” check with a local legal-aid office.
Some California cities have their own tenant protection or anti-harassment rules. These can add protections on top of California Civil Code 1954. As a result, check your city’s rent or housing office to see if more rules apply where you live.
What Your Landlord Must Do Under California Civil Code 1954
In most cases, your landlord must give you written notice before entering. The notice should state the date, the approximate time, and the purpose of the entry. It can be handed to you, or left with someone of suitable age at your home. It can also be left on, near, or under your usual entry door.
There are a few exceptions. No notice is needed in a real emergency, such as a burst pipe or a fire. It is also not needed if you are home and agree to the entry right then, or if you have abandoned the unit. For a sale, the landlord may give oral notice. However, that only works if you got written notice of the sale within the past 120 days.
After an oral-notice entry, the landlord must leave written proof of the entry inside your unit.
Under California Civil Code 1954, entry should typically happen during normal business hours. A landlord who shows up at night without an emergency is likely breaking this rule.
What You Can Do When California Civil Code 1954 Is Broken
Start by writing everything down. Keep copies of every notice. Note the date and time of each improper entry. Photos, texts, and witness names can help. Then send your landlord a short, polite letter citing California Civil Code 1954 and asking them to follow it.
If the problem keeps happening, you may be able to take your landlord to small claims court. Repeated or harassing entry can support a claim for your damages. A separate California harassment law may also allow extra penalties. The exact amount must be confirmed with a local legal-aid office or tenant attorney.
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Also, know this. You typically cannot refuse a lawful, properly noticed entry for a valid reason. Refusing could cause lease trouble. However, you can ask to reschedule, and many landlords agree. If your landlord threatens eviction after you complain, contact a local legal-aid office right away. Retaliation is a serious issue, and you may have defenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord enter without notice under California Civil Code 1954?
Only in limited cases. These include an emergency, when you are home and agree at that moment, or when you have abandoned the unit. Otherwise, California Civil Code 1954 requires reasonable written notice, and 24 hours is presumed reasonable.
Can my landlord come in on weekends or at night?
The law says entry should happen during normal business hours, unless there is an emergency or you agree at the time. The statute does not list exact hours. If entries happen late at night or feel like harassment, talk to a local legal-aid office.
Does California Civil Code 1954 let my landlord do “inspections” anytime?
No. California Civil Code 1954 lists specific inspections, such as the pre-move-out inspection under Section 1950.5(f) and waterbed inspections under Section 1940.5. Frequent, random “checks” with no real purpose may be an abuse of access. Keep records and get advice if it keeps happening.
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Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
California Renter Guides
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- California Repairs and Habitability
- Breaking a Lease in California
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Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.