Can A Landlord Evict Ca Renters Without Relocation Payout?

Key Takeaways

Under California law (SB 567) and local ordinances, landlords must provide relocation payments to tenants evicted for major renovations.
An eviction notice for remodeling is invalid unless the landlord provides copies of the city building permits at the same time the notice is served.
To qualify for a renovation eviction, the work must be extensive enough to change structural elements (walls, wiring, or pipes) and require the tenant to vacate for at least 30 consecutive days.
Seniors (62+), persons with disabilities, and families with children are entitled to significantly higher relocation amounts, sometimes exceeding $25,000, depending on the city.
Tenants should use the first 72 hours after receiving a notice to verify permits, check payout tables, and gather documentation to prove Qualified’ status.

A renovation eviction notice is scary. But, it often comes with a check attached to the money you need.

If you just found an eviction notice taped to your door that says your landlord plans to "remodel" your home, you are probably panicked. You might be wondering where you will go, how you will pay for movers, and how you will handle your current bills while trying to save for a new deposit.

These are real problems. But for many California tenants in 2026, this notice is also a rare chance to fix their finances.

Under California laws (SB 567) and local city rules, landlords cannot just tell you to leave because they want to paint. They must follow strict rules, get city permits, and most importantly, "pay you to move".

This isn't just money for movers. If you handle it right, this check can help you wipe out the debt that stresses you out.

Here is how to stop looking at this eviction as a disaster and start using it as a fresh start.

1. Look At the New California Eviction Rules

Before you pack a single box, you need to know California tenant rights. In 2026, landlords have to meet three hard rules to make you leave:

Major Changes Required: The work must change big parts of the home like the walls, wiring, or pipes.
30-Day Move Out Window: The work must be so noisy or messy that you cannot safely live in the unit for at least 30 days in a row.
Permit Proof is Mandatory: The landlord is legally required to give you copies of the city permits for the work at the same time they give you the eviction notice.

2. Ask The Landlord To Pay You

If the eviction is real, the landlord still has to pay you. The amount you get changes based on where you live and who you live with.

SB 567 relocation payment amount 2026

City	2026 Standard Payout	2026 Qualified Payout*
Los Angeles	$10,650 – $13,950	$22,450 – $26,550
Berkeley	$19,413	$25,884
San Francisco	$8,062+ (Adjusts March 1)	$24,184+
Oakland	~$8,106 – $12,315	Plus ~$2,500+

Source: LA Housing Dept (2025-26), Berkeley Rent Board (2026 Adjustment), SF Rent Board (2026), Oakland Uniform Relocation Ordinance.

*Qualified Payouts apply to seniors (62+), tenants with disabilities, and families with kids.

3. Wait for 72 hours

Hour 0-24 (Fact Check): Read the notice and check your city's website for permits. No permit means you don't have to move.
Hour 24-48 (Money Check): Check the payout table and gather your "Qualified" papers to see if you get a bigger check.
Hour 48-72 (Action Phase): Tell the landlord what you are owed.

4. Prepare a Qualified Tenant Documentation Checklist

To get the higher Qualified Payout, you must prove you belong to a protected group. Gather these early:

Proof of Age: Provide a copy of your driver's license or passport if you are 62 or older.
Proof of Disability: Use an award letter from Social Security or a note from your doctor.
Proof of Residency for Children: Gather school records or birth certificates for children under 18.
Income Verification: Some cities require tax returns or pay stubs to prove "low-income" status.

5. Create a 50/30/20 Crisis Budget

When you get a $15,000 check, it is tempting to spend it all on daily expenses. You can use this rule to manage your fear and protect your future.

50% for the Future: Put half away immediately for your new security deposit and first month's rent.
30% for the Reset: Use this chunk to settle your old debts for less than you owe.
20% for the Move: Use this for movers, boxes, and utility transfer fees.

6. What to Say to Your Landlord

Missing Permits: I noticed you did not attach the building permits as the law requires. I won't be moving until I see them.
Low Payout Offer: Because I have lived here for [Number] years and have a child, the law says my relocation fee should be [Amount].
The Buyout Deal: I can move out earlier than the law says to help you start work, but I need a voluntary buyout of $[Amount] to make it worth it.

7. How to Fix Your Credit

Let's say you live in Los Angeles and owe $15,000 in credit card debt. It turns out that your landlord owes you a $13,950 moving fee.

You don't just pay the minimums. You negotiate.

Negotiated Settlement: Either you talk to the banks to settle your debt for less than you owe or let a settlement company do the chore.
Debt Clearance: You pay roughly $7,500 from your moving check to wipe out the $15,000 debt for good.
Financial Freedom: Your debt is gone and you still have over $6,000 left to move.

Facing eviction and buried in bills? Contact OVLG today. We will help you use your moving rights to clear your debt and protect your future.

8. Negotiate with the Landlord

The legal minimum isn't always the maximum you can get. If your landlord is in a hurry to start construction, your cooperation is worth a lot of money to them.

The Voluntary Buyout Offer: Offer to move out faster in exchange for a higher payment. Check local buyout ordinances for mandatory disclosures.
The Lump Sum Trade: Your landlord will likely pay more just to get a signature from you. They want to move you out and won't turn around and sue them for a wrongful eviction later.
The Payment Security Rule: Never hand over your keys until you have at least 50% of the money and a signed contract for the rest.

9. Checklist: Before You Sign Anything

Verify Permits: Call your city's building department to ensure the permit numbers on your notice are real and "issued."

Calculate Your Tier: Are you "Qualified" (Senior, Disabled, or Parent)? Your payout could be $10,000+ higher than the standard rate.

Get it in Writing: If you negotiate a "Buyout" (extra money to move sooner), ensure the contract states the landlord waives all claims to future rent or damages.

Don't Hand Over Keys: Ensure you have the check in hand (and that it has cleared) before you officially surrender the unit.

FAQ: Common Questions

Some cities allow this, but the unit must be similar in size and price. You can usually say no and take the money instead.

That is illegal. If they kick you out and just rent it to someone else, you can sue for ‘wrongful eviction.’

Usually, yes. The IRS treats relocation payments as income, so it turns out you should set some aside for taxes.

Generally, no. Under Senate Bill 567 and most local ordinances, relocation assistance is a mandatory payment to help you move; it is not a security deposit. In cities like Los Angeles, a landlord can only offset the check if they have a specific court judgment against you.

The eviction notice is legally void. Under SB 567, a "substantial remodel" notice is invalid unless it includes copies of the required building permits. If they hand you a notice without these, the clock hasn't even started—you can legally stay, and they may have to restart the entire 60-day process once they actually get the permits.

Then it doesn't qualify as a "substantial remodel" eviction. To force you out permanently for renovations, the work must be so extensive that it requires you to be out for at least 30 consecutive days. If it’s just a quick paint job or floor refinishing, they cannot evict you; they may only be able to move you to a hotel temporarily at their expense.

The Bottom Line

A renovation eviction is stressful, but it doesn't have to ruin you. In 2026, the law gives you a shield: money to move.

You have a choice: You can spend that money on bills and stay in debt. OR You can use that cash to settle your debts and start fresh.

Facing eviction and buried in bills? Let's turn this crisis into a reset. Contact OVLG today. We will look at your debts and help you use your moving rights to protect your future.