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Welcome to the Department of Real Estate

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FAQ - Landlord/Tenant Matters

Q. - Can the Department of Real Estate intervene in landlord/tenant disputes?

A. - Probably not. Normally, a problem between a landlord and a tenant will be a civil matter. This means that the parties must either resolve the problem amongst themselves or seek a resolution in court. The Department of Real Estate would only be involved in a landlord/tenant issue if there is a complaint against a real estate licensee who is performing acts requiring a real estate license (e.g., representing the landlord as a property manager).


Q. - Where can I find out more about my rights as a landlord/tenant?

A. - The Department of Consumer Affairs has information on its website about landlord/tenant rights. It also distributes the following free publications:

To obtain a copy of these publications, write to:

DCA Publications
401 S Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95814

or call (916) 323-7239 or (800) 952-5210