California Civil Code 1927 is the law that promises you the right to live in your rental home in peace. If you have a letter that cites california civil code 1927, the key point is that this duty belongs to the landlord, and it lasts for “the term of the hiring,” meaning the whole time you rent the home.
What California Civil Code 1927 Actually Says
The whole law is one sentence. Here is the exact text: “An agreement to let upon hire binds the letter to secure to the hirer the quiet possession of the thing hired during the term of the hiring, against all persons lawfully claiming the same.” You can read it on the official California Legislature website.
That language is from 1872, so here is what it means today. The “letter” is your landlord. The “hirer” is you, the tenant. “Quiet possession” does not mean silence. It means you get to use and enjoy your home without the landlord, or someone with a legal claim to the property, taking it from you or getting in your way.
California civil code 1927 does not list penalties, notice periods, or dollar amounts. However, it is the base that many tenant protections rest on. As a result, lawyers and judges often call it the “covenant of quiet enjoyment.” A covenant is simply a promise that is built into your rental agreement, even if the lease never mentions it.
| Provision | Exact rule | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Who must keep the promise | “the letter” (your landlord) | Cal. Civ. Code 1927 |
| Who is protected | “the hirer” (you, the tenant) | Cal. Civ. Code 1927 |
| What is promised | “quiet possession of the thing hired” | Cal. Civ. Code 1927 |
| How long it lasts | “during the term of the hiring” | Cal. Civ. Code 1927 |
| Protected against | “all persons lawfully claiming the same” | Cal. Civ. Code 1927 |
| When it became law | Enacted 1872 | Cal. Civ. Code 1927 |
| Where it sits | Chapter 1, “Hiring in General” (sections 1925 to 1938) | Cal. Civ. Code 1925–1938 |
Who California Civil Code 1927 Covers (and Who It Does Not)
California civil code 1927 applies to any “agreement to let upon hire.” In most cases, that includes apartments, houses, rented rooms, and mobile home spaces. It covers written leases and verbal agreements. It also covers month-to-month renters, not only people with a one-year lease.
The law binds the landlord, not the tenant. For example, some tenants receive a letter saying they are “violating other tenants’ quiet enjoyment” because of noise. California civil code 1927 does not put that duty on you. However, your lease may have its own noise or nuisance rules. If a letter like that threatens eviction, read your lease closely and get advice quickly.
Some California cities add their own protections on top of this state law. For example, several large cities have local tenant anti-harassment rules. Those local rules may give you extra remedies. Check with your city’s rent board or housing department, or with a local legal-aid office, to see what applies where you live.
What Your Landlord Must Do Under This Law
Under california civil code 1927, your landlord must let you use your home without serious interference. Typically, courts have found that a landlord may break this promise by repeatedly entering without a good reason, shutting off utilities, blocking access, or letting harassment go on. Other cases involve long, disruptive construction or ignoring problems the landlord controls. Whether your situation counts depends on the facts.
This duty lasts for “the term of the hiring.” As a result, it starts when your tenancy begins and continues until it lawfully ends. A landlord who wants you out must still follow California’s legal eviction process. Changing the locks or removing your things is not a legal shortcut.
California civil code 1927 itself sets no notice periods. Other California laws set rules for things like landlord entry and eviction notices. Those rules are not part of this section. Confirm the exact notice rules with the official statutes or with legal aid before you act.
What You Can Do When It Is Broken
If your landlord breaks california civil code 1927, you may be able to sue for your losses. These can include money for damage to your belongings, costs you paid because of the problem, or the reduced value of your home while it was disrupted. Keep a written record. Save texts, emails, photos, videos, and a dated log of every incident.
In serious cases, the interference may be so bad that you cannot stay. Courts call this “constructive eviction.” In some situations, a tenant who moves out for that reason may no longer owe rent. However, this is risky. Leaving too early, or without proof, can leave you owing money. Talk to a tenant attorney or legal aid first.
Start with a calm, written letter to your landlord. Cite california civil code 1927, describe exactly what happened, and ask them to stop. Keep a copy. If the problem continues, you may be able to file in small claims or civil court. If you are facing eviction, lockout, or utility shutoff, contact a local legal-aid office immediately.
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Frequently Asked Questions
My landlord’s letter cites california civil code 1927. What does that mean for me?
This law places a duty on the landlord, not on you. A landlord citing it may be saying they are protecting other tenants from disruption. If the letter threatens eviction, check your lease and get legal advice quickly.
Can a lease take away my right to quiet enjoyment?
The promise in california civil code 1927 is built into every rental agreement. Some tenant rights in California cannot be waived in a lease. To find out whether a clause in your lease is enforceable, ask a local legal-aid office or a tenant attorney.
Does “quiet” mean my landlord must stop noisy neighbors?
Not always. “Quiet” here means undisturbed possession, not silence. However, a landlord who ignores serious, ongoing disturbances that the landlord could control may be breaking the promise. Report the problem in writing and keep records.
Protect your stuff while you sort this out
A landlord’s insurance does not cover your belongings — renters insurance does, often for a few dollars a month. Compare options before your next move.
Find Your State’s Exact Rules
Notice periods, deposit caps, and the eviction timeline all change from state to state. Pick your state to see the exact days, dollar limits, and steps that apply where you live.
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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 Rent Increase Laws
- 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.