California Landlord Bundle: 3 Kits in One Download (California Landlord Kit, California Small Claims Kit, Eviction Case File Organizer)

Who it is for

Landlords and property managers with rentals in California: the state's rules, a small claims case for unpaid rent or damage, and an eviction case file if it comes to that.

Not the right fit if

Your rentals aren't in California, or you only need one of the kits. Not a property management or legal service.

Why it is different

• 3 kits for 30% less than buying them one by one; each keeps its own folder in the download.
• The California kits are built only from our California data files: California data files, checked November 2026 against 17 official pages, among them California Department of Real Estate: California Tenants guide, 2026 edition (RE 26, Rev. 1/1/26); California Courts Self-Help Guide: Guide to security deposits in California; California Attorney General: Know Your Rights as a California Tenant, Security Deposits; California Courts Self-Help Guide: Types of eviction notices (landlords); California Department of Real Estate: California Tenants guide, living in the rental unit; California Department of Real Estate: California Tenants guide, moving out, plus National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel (a vetted secondary source, marked in the kit) where no official page could be read; California small claims data file, checked November 2026 against California Courts Self-Help Guide: Small claims in California; California Courts Self-Help Guide: File your Plaintiff's Claim; California Courts Self-Help Guide: Where to file your small claims case; California Courts Self-Help Guide: Serve your small claims forms.
• Eviction Case File Organizer covers every state; the California kits carry the state rules.

What is inside

• California Landlord Compliance Kit. The California landlord-tenant rules in one package: deposit capped at 1 month of rent; deposit returned within 21 days; 3-business-day notice for unpaid rent; 24-hour entry notice; $240 eviction filing fee; $12,500 small claims limit. Deposits, notice periods, the eviction case and the small claims limit, each confirmed rule with its source link and check date. What it confirms: deposit limit: Since July 1, 2024, no more than one month's rent, and other deposits and fees count toward it; return deadline: Within 21 days after the tenant moves out: the deposit, or the deposit minus deductions with an itemized statement; itemized list of deductions: An itemized statement of what was deducted and why; copies of invoices or receipts when deductions are over $125; interest on the deposit: The Attorney General's guide lists no state interest requirement and says some cities make landlords pay interest; check your city or county rules; where the deposit is held: The Attorney General's guide names no account type: the landlord holds the deposit until the tenant moves out, and on a sale returns it or transfers it to the new owner; penalty the law states: In a bad-faith case, the court may award up to twice the amount of the deposit, plus the tenant's damages; ending month-to-month (landlord): 30 days if the tenant has rented less than 1 year; 60 days if 1 year or more; ending month-to-month (tenant): Written notice at least 30 days before moving for a month-to-month tenancy (7 days for week-to-week), or what the rental agreement requires if it sets a different period; rent increase notice: 30 days' notice for an increase of 10% or less; 90 days' written notice for more than 10%; unpaid rent notice: 3 days to pay or move, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and court holidays; entry notice: 24 hours' advance written notice is reasonable in most situations; notice mailed at least 6 days before entry is presumed reasonable; late fee limits: No set cap in the guide; court: The superior court of the county where the rental is (an unlawful detainer case); filing fee: $240 when the amount demanded is $10,000 or less; $385 over $10,000 up to $35,000 (statewide schedule effective January 1, 2026); time to answer or appear: 10 court days after personal service to file an Answer (weekends and court holidays don't count); more if served another way; writ to lockout: After the writ, the sheriff serves a Notice to Vacate that gives 5 days to move out.
• California Small Claims Court Kit. In California, small claims (Small claims court (California superior courts)) cover claims up to $12,500. From the official page: Individuals can generally sue for up to $12,500; businesses up to $6,250. Where and how to file, from the official pages: Usually the county where the other side lives or does business. Other options depend on the claim: where an accident or injury happened; for a contract, where it was made, broken or to be performed; for an item sold, where the buyer lives or bought it. Filing in the wrong county can get the case dismissed. Fees: claim up to $1,500: $30; over $1,500 up to $5,000: $50; over $5,000 up to $12,500: $75; filed more than 12 small claims in the past 12 months: $100. From the California Courts Self-Help Guide. A fee waiver is available if you can't afford the fee. Online filing: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/file-form-start-your-small-claims-case-plaintiffs-claim Service: You cannot serve the papers yourself. Someone 18 or older who is not part of the case can hand them to the other side (personal service) or to someone at their home or work and then mail a copy (substituted service); some courts offer certified mail by the clerk for $15. Serve at least 15 days before the court date (20 days if the other side is in a different county), and file the Proof of Service at least 5 days before the hearing. Lawyers can't represent a party at the hearing. Appeal: If you started the case, you can't appeal if you lose. A defendant who loses can appeal. A claim calculator that adds up your items and compares the total with $12,500 and $6,250 (businesses and other entities), a costs sheet with the California fee list, a deadline sheet in business days that skips weekends and federal holidays, and a collection tracker with the balance owed.
• Eviction Case File Organizer. Walk into the hearing with the lease, the ledger, the notices and every date in order, whichever side you are on.