El Monte · Renting & eviction
Renting in El Monte: the rules that apply
El Monte's rent and retaliation rules cover mobilehome park spaces only, and it has no just-cause rule of its own, so state law governs eviction, notices and deposits. The city adds condo-conversion tenant notices and a hotel tax.
Key points
- Rent increases: For covered units, state law limits increases to 8.7% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027; El Monte has no city cap for them.
- Mobilehome spaces: El Monte mobilehome park space rent may not exceed the July 1, 2015 rent unless the chapter allows it, such as annual CPI increases.
- Just cause: El Monte has no just-cause rule of its own; state law requires just cause after 12 months of lawful occupancy for covered units.
- Relocation pay: If an owner fails to pay required relocation, El Monte may pay the displaced tenant up to the amount owed, at Council discretion.
- Condo conversions: In an El Monte condo conversion, tenants get written notice at least 180 days before the tenancy ends, given after final map approval.
- Hotel tax: El Monte's hotel tax is 10% of the rent, collected by the operator from each guest with the rent.
Each rule below is marked El Monte code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
El Monte code For covered units, state law limits increases to 8.7% from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027; El Monte has no city cap for them. El Monte mobilehome park space rent may not exceed the July 1, 2015 rent unless the chapter allows it, such as annual CPI increases.
All 5 El Monte rules on rent increases, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Eviction and just cause
CA state law El Monte has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Just cause required: After 12 months of lawful occupancy, the owner may terminate only for a just cause stated in the notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2(a)). Just-cause eviction in California — the full state rule →
Relocation payments
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CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. No-fault eviction relocation assistance: One month's rent (as relocation payment or rent waiver), paid within 15 calendar days of the notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2(d)(3)(A)). Relocation under California's just-cause law — the full state rule →
Notices
We found no El Monte rule on this in the El Monte Municipal Code (checked October 2026). The state rule below applies.
| Notice of a rent increase | At least 30 days' notice for an increase of 10% or less; at least 90 days for an increase of more than 10% Applies: The 10% is measured against the rent charged at any time in the 12 months before the increase, counting all increases in that period together. |
|---|---|
| Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (landlord) | 60 days' notice; 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than one year Applies: Where the unit is covered by just cause (Civ. Code § 1946.2) or a local ordinance, the notice must also state a qualifying cause. |
| Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (tenant) | At least as long as the rental period (one month for a month-to-month tenancy) |
| 30-day notice when the unit is sold to an owner-occupant | 30 days' notice when a separately sellable unit is in escrow to a natural person who will live there for at least a year Applies: Notice within 120 days of opening escrow, given once, and all § 1946.1(d) conditions met. |
| Notice to pay rent or quit | 3 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays, stating the amount due and how to pay Applies: May be served any time within one year after the rent became due. |
| Notice to cure a lease violation or quit | 3 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays, to perform the broken lease term or leave |
| No fee for serving notices | A landlord may not charge the tenant a fee for serving or posting a notice |
Security deposits
CA state law El Monte has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Security deposit cap: One month's rent, on top of the first month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(6)). Deposit return deadline: 21 calendar days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement of any deductions (Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)(1)). California security deposit law — the full state rule →
Retaliation
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Also in El Monte's code: Mobilehome Park Rent Stabilization (§ 8.70.170) — mobilehome park spaces only. This page does not summarize it yet.
CA state law Underneath, California law still applies. Retaliation protection period: For 180 days after a tenant complains about habitability (to the landlord or an agency), the landlord may not evict, raise rent or cut services in retaliation (Civ. Code § 1942.5(a), (b)). Retaliatory eviction in California — the full state rule →
Harassment and lockouts
CA state law El Monte has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Lockouts and self-help eviction banned: A landlord may not change locks, remove doors or windows, or remove the tenant's belongings to force a tenant out (Civ. Code § 789.3(b)). Utility shutoffs banned: A landlord may not cut off water, heat, electricity, gas or other utilities to force a tenant out (Civ. Code § 789.3(a)). Tenant harassment and lockouts in California — the full state rule →
Repairs and habitability
CA state law El Monte has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Duty to keep the unit habitable: The landlord must deliver a unit fit to live in and repair conditions that make it untenantable (Civ. Code § 1941). Repair and deduct: A tenant may make a repair the landlord neglects and deduct the cost from rent, up to one month's rent, no more than twice in any 12 months (Civ. Code § 1942(a)). Habitability and repair-and-deduct — the full state rule →
Landlord entry
CA state law El Monte has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Landlord entry notice: Reasonable written notice, presumed to be 24 hours, and entry only during normal business hours (Civ. Code § 1954(d)(1), (e)). Landlord entry notice in California — the full state rule →
Hotel and short-term rental tax
| Tax rate |
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| Who collects it |
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Condo conversions
El Monte code In an El Monte condo conversion, tenants get written notice at least 180 days before the tenancy ends, given after final map approval.
All 7 El Monte rules on condo conversions, with the code text →
Mobilehome park rent
El Monte code The annual increase is 100 percent of the CPI percentage increase. All mobilehome park spaces in El Monte are covered, except spaces with a qualifying exemption.
All 6 El Monte rules on mobilehome park rent, with the code text →
Other El Monte rules on this
El Monte's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Mobilehome Park Rent Stabilization (Ch. 8.70) — mobilehome park spaces only
- Mobilehome Park Rent Stabilization (§ 8.70.170) — mobilehome park spaces only
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
Does a landlord in El Monte need a reason to evict?
El Monte has no just-cause rule of its own; state law requires just cause after 12 months of lawful occupancy for covered units.
Does an El Monte landlord have to pay relocation?
If an owner fails to pay required relocation, El Monte may pay the displaced tenant up to the amount owed, at Council discretion.
How much notice does an El Monte landlord have to give?
El Monte has no local rule on this that we found (checked October 2026); state law applies: At least 30 days' notice for an increase of 10% or less; at least 90 days for an increase of more than 10% (Civ. Code § 827(b)(2), (b)(3)(A)).
How much can an El Monte landlord charge for a security deposit?
El Monte has no local rule on this that we found (checked October 2026); state law applies: One month's rent, on top of the first month's rent (Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1), (c)(6)).
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in El Monte?
El Monte's hotel tax is 10% of the rent, collected by the operator from each guest with the rent.
General information, not legal advice.
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