Cal. Civ. Code § 17975.4
California Health and Safety Code
Operative Text
(a) No relocation benefits pursuant to this article shall be payable to any tenant who has caused or substantially contributed to the condition giving rise to the order to vacate, as determined by the local enforcement agency, nor shall any relocation benefits be payable to a tenant if any guest or invitee of the tenant has caused or substantially contributed to the condition giving rise to the order to vacate, as determined by the local enforcement agency. The local enforcement agency shall make the determination whether a tenant, tenant’s guest, or invitee caused or substantially contributed to the condition, giving rise to the order to vacate at the same time that the order to vacate the tenants is made. (b) An owner or designated agent shall not be liable for relocation benefits if the local enforcement agency determines that the unit or structure became unsafe or hazardous as the result of a fire, flood, earthquake, or other event beyond the control of the owner or the designated agent and the owner or designated agent did not cause or contribute to the condition. (c) In the situations described in subdivisions (a) and (b), the tenants of units within a multiunit structure who did not cause or substantially contribute to the uninhabitable condition shall be eligible for relocation benefits from the local enforcement agency that elects at its discretion to pay relocation payments in accordance with Section 17975.2 to those tenants. (d) An owner or designated agent shall not be liable to make any payment as prescribed by this section if the local enforcement agency does not provide for an appeals process for the order to pay relocation benefits.
Under Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17975.4, relocation benefits tied to an order to vacate are not owed when the tenant—or the tenant's guest or invitee—caused or substantially contributed to the unsafe condition, as determined by the local enforcement agency at the time the order is issued. Similarly, an owner is not liable for benefits when the hazard resulted from a natural disaster or other event outside the owner's control. Tenants in a multi-unit building who played no role in creating the problem may still qualify for agency-paid relocation assistance, and owner liability for any payment is contingent on the agency maintaining an appeals process.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17975.4, compliant operators generally document the circumstances surrounding any habitability failure so that the local enforcement agency can accurately assess whether the condition stemmed from tenant, guest, or invitee conduct versus owner responsibility. When a fire, flood, earthquake, or comparable event beyond the owner's control triggers the order to vacate, operators typically present that evidence to the agency to support a finding of no owner liability. Operators also confirm whether the issuing agency maintains a formal appeals process for relocation-benefit orders, since § 17975.4(d) conditions owner payment obligations on that process existing.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17975.4 establishes that tenants who did not cause or substantially contribute to the unsafe condition—including those in other units of a multi-unit building—may be eligible for relocation benefits, either from the owner or from the local enforcement agency. The agency makes its causation determination at the same time it issues the order to vacate, so tenants who believe that finding is incorrect can explore the agency's appeals process as a potential avenue for challenging it. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help renters understand how § 17975.4 applies to their circumstances and what options may be available.
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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