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Thousand Oaks, CA Rental Property Rules: Tenant Anti-Harassment (2026)

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Statute
Civil Code 1940.2
Statutory damages
Up to $2,000 per violation
Self-help eviction
Penal Code 418 prohibits
Local TAHO
None in Thousand Oaks

Summary

California Civil Code 1940.2 prohibits Thousand Oaks landlords from using force, threats, fraud, or utility shutoffs to coerce tenants out of a rental. Violations carry statutory damages up to $2,000 per violation plus actual damages and attorney fees.

(a) It is unlawful for a landlord to do any of the following for the purpose of influencing a tenant to vacate a dwelling: (1) Engage in conduct that violates subdivision (a) of Section 484 of the Penal Code. (2) Engage in conduct that violates Section 518 of the Penal Code. (3) Use, or threaten to use, force, willful threats, or menacing conduct constituting a course of conduct that interferes with the tenant's quiet enjoyment of the premises in violation of Section 1927 that would create an apprehension of harm in a reasonable person. Nothing in this paragraph requires a tenant to be actually or constructively evicted in order to obtain relief. (4) Commit a significant and intentional violation of Section 1954. (5) Threaten to disclose information regarding or relating to the immigration or citizenship status of a tenant, occupant, or other person known to the landlord to be associated with a tenant or occupant. This paragraph does not require a tenant to be actually or constructively evicted in order to obtain relief. (b) A tenant who prevails in a civil action, including an action in small claims court, to enforce his or her rights under this section is entitled to a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed two thousand dollars ($2,000) for each violation.

Source: California Civil Code 1940.2View official code

Full Breakdown

Thousand Oaks has not adopted a local tenant anti-harassment ordinance like LA's TAHO, so state law governs. Civil Code 1940.2 makes it illegal for a landlord to use force, threats of force, threats of immigration enforcement, fraud, or utility/service shutoffs to influence a tenant to leave. Penal Code 418 separately prohibits forcible self-help eviction. Tenants may sue in small claims or superior court for $2,000 per violation plus actual damages, attorney fees, and injunctive relief. Documentation of harassing communications, shutoffs, or repeated unlawful entries strengthens claims.

Violations & Fines

Forcible self-help eviction, utility shutoffs, lock changes without court order, and threats of immigration enforcement expose landlords to $2,000 per violation, damages, attorney fees, and injunctions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my landlord shut off water to force me to leave?
No. Civil Code 1940.2 expressly prohibits utility shutoffs to influence a tenant to vacate. Tenants can recover statutory damages, attorney fees, and injunctive relief.
Does Thousand Oaks have a local anti-harassment ordinance?
No. State law governs. LA, Oakland, and a few other cities have local TAHO ordinances; Thousand Oaks relies on California Civil Code 1940.2 protections.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Thousand Oaks

All Thousand Oaks rules

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