Can a Landlord retaliate against a tenant for trying to get repairs or exercising other rights?

In 1980 (yes we’ve been around that long), Fair Housing Council of Orange County took a case to the California Supreme Court to protect tenants from retaliation. The court published a decision that prohibits landlords from increasing rent, decreasing services, or attempting to evict for the tenant’s lawful and peaceful exercise of rights. This is broad protection from retaliation. However, if the tenant has committed some good cause for termination, the landlord may still be entitled to evict. The counselors on staff are trained to help you in this area of tenant rights.