Hawthorne · Renting & eviction
Renting in Hawthorne: the rules that apply
Hawthorne has no rent control or just-cause rule of its own; state law governs rent increases, eviction reasons, notices and deposits. The city adds relocation fees when a building is demolished, removed or converted to condos.
Key points
- Rent cap: State law caps rent increases on covered units at 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
- Just cause: State law lets a covered unit's owner end a tenancy after 12 months' lawful occupancy only for a just cause stated in the notice.
- Relocation fee: When a building is demolished, removed or converted to condos, Hawthorne requires relocation fees: $2,500 for a qualified tenant, $1,000 otherwise.
- Payment timing: Hawthorne's relocation money is due within 15 days of serving the termination notice and is shared pro rata among multiple tenants.
- Ending notice: State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
- Short-term rentals: For short-term rentals, Hawthorne has a related chapter, Short-term rental permits (Ch. 17-24e).
Each rule below is marked Hawthorne code or CA state law and links to the section it comes from (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.
Rent increases
CA state law Hawthorne has no rule of its own on this, so California law applies. Rent cap right now: 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 (5% plus 3.7% inflation) (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)(1), (g)). California's statewide rent cap — the full state rule →
Eviction and just cause
CA state law Hawthorne 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
Hawthorne code When a building is demolished, removed or converted to condos, Hawthorne requires relocation fees: $2,500 for a qualified tenant, $1,000 otherwise. Hawthorne's relocation money is due within 15 days of serving the termination notice and is shared pro rata among multiple tenants.
All 7 Hawthorne rules on relocation payments, with the code text and the state law underneath →
Notices
We found no Hawthorne rule on this in the Hawthorne 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 Hawthorne 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
CA state law Hawthorne has no rule of its own on this, so California law 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 Hawthorne 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 Hawthorne 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 Hawthorne 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
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Other Hawthorne rules on this
Hawthorne's code also has these chapters. We have not summarized their values on this page yet; read them in the library.
- Short-term rental permits (Ch. 17-24e)
Who this affects
Frequently asked questions
How much can rent go up in Hawthorne?
State law caps rent increases on covered units at 8.7% for increases taking effect August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027.
Does a landlord in Hawthorne need a reason to evict?
State law lets a covered unit's owner end a tenancy after 12 months' lawful occupancy only for a just cause stated in the notice.
How much notice does a Hawthorne landlord have to give?
State law requires 60 days' notice to end a tenancy, or 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than 1 year.
How much can a Hawthorne landlord charge for a security deposit?
Hawthorne 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)).
Can I rent out my home short-term in Hawthorne?
For short-term rentals, Hawthorne has a related chapter, Short-term rental permits (Ch. 17-24e). Hawthorne also has a related rule: Short-term rental permits (Ch. 17-24e).
What is the hotel tax on short-term rentals in Hawthorne?
Hawthorne's code: 12% of the rent charged by the operator. (§ 3.40.050); Each operator collects the tax from every guest at the same time as the rent. (§ 3.40.070).
General information, not legal advice.
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