Cal. Gov't Code § 12955.7
California Government Code
Operative Text
It shall be unlawful to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of that person having exercised or enjoyed, or on account of that person having aided or encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by Section 12955 or 12955.1.
California Government Code § 12955.7 makes it unlawful to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with anyone because they exercised a fair housing right, enjoyed a fair housing protection, or helped someone else do so. The rule covers both past and present exercise of rights protected under the state's core fair housing provisions, Sections 12955 and 12955.1. In effect, it creates a separate layer of protection against retaliation or obstruction on top of the underlying fair housing rules.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Cal. Gov't Code § 12955.7, compliant housing operators take care to ensure that no action — by themselves or their agents — could be construed as pressure, threats, or interference directed at a resident or applicant who has asserted fair housing rights or assisted others in doing so. This includes being mindful of communications, lease enforcement timing, and any changes in housing terms that follow a fair housing complaint or inquiry. Operators generally document the independent, non-retaliatory business reasons behind any adverse housing actions taken after a resident has engaged with fair housing processes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Cal. Gov't Code § 12955.7 protects tenants not only when they personally exercise fair housing rights, but also when they have helped or encouraged others to do so — meaning retaliation or intimidation in either context may constitute a separate violation. If a tenant believes a landlord has threatened, coerced, or interfered with them in connection with fair housing activity, potential paths include filing a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, raising the violation as a defense or counterclaim in a housing proceeding, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance. Keeping records of communications, notices, and the timeline of events after any fair housing activity can be useful when exploring these options.
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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