Some California landlords must pay Relocation Assistance when they ask a renter to move out. Are you on that list?

How Much Notice Do You Need to Give a Resident to Move Out in California?

The Question Every Inland Empire Investor Asks: “How much notice do I need to give my resident to move out?”

It’s 2 AM, and you just got a text that changes everything. Your job is relocating you to Phoenix. Your elderly parents need you to move back to their rental property to help them. Or maybe you’ve finally decided to sell that Riverside rental that’s been part of your portfolio for years.

Whatever the reason, you need your renters to move out. But here’s the thing that keeps smart investors up at night: Get the notice wrong, and you could face months of delays, legal fees, and lost rental income.

If you know California’s notice requirements, you can handle this transition like the intentional investor you are.

The California Notice Rule: It’s Simpler Than You Think

Here’s the bottom line for month-to-month tenancies in California (when just-cause eviction laws don’t apply):

• 30-day written notice if your resident has lived there less than 12 months
• 60-day written notice if your resident has lived there 12 months or longer
• 90-day written notice if your resident receives government housing assistance (Section 8, etc.)

That’s it. No complicated calculations. No gray areas. Just clean, clear time periods that protect you and your resident.

When the Rules Get More Complicated

Before you make any moves, you need to answer a series of questions to determine not only home much notice you must provide to a rental home resident, but whether you are even LEGALLY ALLOWED to terminate a tenancy. Among those questions:

Fixed-Term Leases: You typically can’t terminate early without cause (Non-payment of rent, lease violations, etc.).

The Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482): This statewide law, passed as Assembly Bill 1482 in 2019, significantly changes the game for many properties. For homes or leases that fall under the law’s coverage, the property owner must have “just cause” to terminate the tenancy – meaning you can’t just end a month-to-month rental without a valid legal reason.

AB 1482 applies to:

• Most properties built more than 15 years ago
• Rental homes or condos owned by corporations or real estate investment trusts
• Properties that would be exempt from the law but for which the residents were not notified of the exemption

Just-Cause Requirements Under AB 1482:

If the property or lease falls under AB 1482, the law restricts allowable reasons to give notice to terminate a tenancy.

• “At-Fault” reasons such as non-payment of rent or lease violations.
• “No-Fault” reasons including:
  • Removing the property from the rental market.
  • Substantial renovations, requiring city permits, that would take at least 30 days work and during which the home could not be occupied.
  • Property owner, or an immediate family memeber, is moving in to the property.
• For “no-fault” evictions, the owner must provide relocation assistance equal to one month’s rent or waive the final month’s rent.
• Special Circumstances: Military service, domestic violence situations, and other factors can affect notice requirements

This is why working with a knowledgeable property management company or attorney makes sense. The cost of getting it wrong far exceeds the cost of getting it right.

Real-World Example: How We Handled a Recent Notice to Terminate Tenancy

One of our Dream Big clients owns a beautiful 4-bedroom home in Colton, CA, in the Inland Empire. After years of living out-of-state, they got a job opportunity that required them to move back to California and would need to turn their rental property back into their primary home.

The property title was in the name of the owners, not a corporation, and the owners determined that the property was not covered by the Tenant Protection Act. But the residents had lived there for nearly 24 months and so a 60-day written notice was required.

Here’s the process that took place:

1. Confirmed the property was exempt from AB 1482 just-cause requirements (single-family home, individual ownership)
2. Calculated the 60-day notice period
3. Used our California-compliant notice forms
4. Personally delivered the notice to the residents, allowing us to have a face-to-face conversation and explain the situation compassionately
5. Documented everything meticulously for our client’s records

Result? The personal delivery made all the difference. Instead of residents finding an antiseptic notice posted on their door, we were able to explain our client’s situation, answer their questions, and maintain the positive relationship we’d built over nearly two years. While the residents were naturally disappointed about having to move, they expressed appreciation for how the process was handled. The transition is proceeding smoothly, and the property will be ready for our client’s family when they need it – all without our client having to navigate the complex legal requirements or have difficult conversations herself.

The rental home business a people and relationship business. We’re talking about real people and the places they call home. Taking the extra step and having empathy goes a long way, and the happy byproduct is that the process will run more smoothly if people believe that you care about them.

The Expensive Mistakes That Trip Up Even Smart Investors

I’ve seen too many intelligent people make these costly errors:

Mistake #1: Verbal Notice California requires written notice. That phone call or text message doesn’t count, no matter how clear you were.

Mistake #2: Missed Steps If your property qualifies for exemption from the Tenant Protection Act (like single-family homes owned by individuals), you must provide written notice to residents about this exemption – otherwise the just-cause protections may still apply.

Mistake #3: Lack of Knowledge of State Laws If you don’t know or understand local, state and federal landlord-tenant law, you put yourself at risk. Ignorance of the law is not a viable defense. And if you make a mistake, you’ll most likely write a check.

Why These Notice Periods Exist (And Why You Should Care)

The 30/60/90-day rule serves three critical purposes:

For Your Resident: Enough time to find new housing, arrange moving logistics, and transition without being forced into homelessness or desperate decisions.

For You as the Investor: Legal protection when you follow the rules correctly, plus reasonable time to prepare the property for its next chapter.

For the Rental Market: Stability that prevents massive displacement and keeps rental housing accessible.

When you understand the “why” behind these rules, giving proper notice becomes less about legal compliance and more about being a professional asset manager who treats people right.

Your Action Plan: The Smart Investor’s Checklist

Before you serve any notice, work through this checklist:

Step 1: Verify Your Lease Type

• Month-to-month = 30/60/90-day rule applies
• Fixed-term = different rules apply
• Housing Assistance = 90-day rule

Step 2: Calculate Tenancy Length

• Less than 12 months = 30-day notice
• 12+ months = 60-day notice

Step 3: Check AB 1482 and Local Rules

• Determine if your property falls under the Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482)
• Research your city’s ordinances
• Confirm whether just-cause requirements apply

Step 4: Use Proper Forms

• California-specific notice forms
• Include all required language

Step 5: Serve Correctly

• Personal delivery
• Post copy on property
• Certified mail
• Document everything

Step 6: Plan Your Timeline

• Factor in notice period
• Add buffer time for unexpected delays
• Coordinate with your next steps

The Bottom Line for Intentional Investors

Giving proper notice isn’t just about legal compliance — it’s about maintaining your reputation as a professional asset manager who treats people right. When you handle these transitions correctly, you:

• Avoid costly legal complications
• Maintain positive relationships with residents
• Protect your investment timeline
• Build a reputation for professionalism

Remember, every resident interaction reflects on you as an investor. Handle terminations with the same care you put into screening new residents, and you’ll build a sustainable rental business that serves everyone involved.

If you have questions about anything covered here, call me directly at 951-314-5402. I’m happy to share.

You can also find valuable information on our website at dreambigpm.com.

Are you wondering if your rental home falls under the Tenant Protection Act restrictions? We have a quick guide to help you answer that question. Email brian@dreambigpm.com with TENANT PROTECTION ACT in the Subject Field. We’ll shoot you out a free copy.

Don’t be Accidental about your Future. Be Intentional.