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Gardena · Renting & eviction

Retaliation in Gardena

City rule: an owner action within 3 months after the board decides a petition is presumed retaliatory; the owner can rebut this.

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Key points

  • Retaliation: City rule: an owner action within 3 months after the board decides a petition is presumed retaliatory; the owner can rebut this.

Each rule below links to the section of the Gardena Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Gardena's code says

Gardena code What Gardena's code adds
Presumption period
  • 3 months; the owner can rebut the presumption.
    Applies: An owner's action brought within 3 months after the board decides a petition.
    § 14.04.230 · code text
    However, any action brought by the owner within three months after the determination of a petition filed with the board shall be presumed to be retaliatory.
Protected activities
  • Lawfully and peacefully using any right under the city's rent mediation and hearing process.
    § 14.04.230 · code text
    The use of the rent mediation or hearing process is declared to be a protected right pursuant to subsection (c) of Section 1942.5 of the Civil Code of the state.
Remedies
  • Actual damages the tenant suffered.
    § 14.04.260 · code text
    A. The actual damages sustained by the lessee;
  • Punitive damages of at least $100 and no more than $1,000 for each retaliatory act.
    Applies: The landlord or agent acted with fraud, oppression or malice.
    § 14.04.260 · code text
    B. Punitive damages in an amount of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars for each retaliatory act where the lessor or agent has been guilty of fraud, oppression or malice with respect to such act;
  • Reasonable attorneys' fees.
    § 14.04.260 · code text
    C. Reasonable attorneys' fees.

The California rule underneath

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 →

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

General information, not legal advice.

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Gardena Municipal Code — full text