Cal. Civ. Code § 1949
California Civil Code
Operative Text
Every tenant who receives notice of any proceeding to recover the real property occupied by him or her, or the possession of the real property, shall immediately inform his or her landlord of the proceeding, and also deliver to the landlord the notice, if in writing, and is responsible to the landlord for all damages which he or she may sustain by reason of any omission to inform the landlord of the notice, or to deliver it to him or her if in writing.
California Civil Code § 1949 establishes a duty that runs from tenant to landlord whenever a tenant receives formal notice of a legal proceeding aimed at recovering the rental property or its possession. Under this rule, the tenant must promptly tell the landlord about the proceeding and hand over any written notice received. A tenant who fails to do either of these things can be held financially responsible for whatever losses the landlord suffers as a result of that omission.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1949, a compliant operator generally stays alert to whether tenants have received any third-party legal notices—such as those arising from foreclosure, eminent domain, or similar proceedings—that affect the rental property. Landlords who are kept in the dark about such proceedings may have a damages claim against the tenant whose failure to report caused the harm. Maintaining open communication with tenants and documenting any notices received helps property owners respond to proceedings in a timely manner.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Cal. Civ. Code § 1949 gives tenants a clear obligation: if you receive any notice of a proceeding to recover the property you occupy, you must inform your landlord right away and turn over the written notice if one was provided. Failing to do so can expose a tenant to a claim for the landlord's resulting financial losses. Tenants who have questions about what qualifies as a covered notice, or who face related disputes, may find guidance through a local tenant-rights organization or a rent board if one exists in their jurisdiction.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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