California Makes 60-Day Termination Rule Permanent

California has had an on-again, off-again relationship with its 60-day termination rule for month-to-month tenancies. This rule requires landlords to give tenants 60 days' notice when terminating a month-to-month tenancy, when the termination is not "for cause" and when the tenant has lived in the rental for a year or more. (For cause terminations require only three days' notice.) The rule (embodied in California Civil Code Section 1946.1), applied in 2003-2005 but not in 2006-2007; then it reappeared in 2007. It was due to "sunset," or go away, once more, on January 1, 2010. At the last minute, the Governor signed a bill making the 60-day provision permanent. Until any further legislative action, renters or tenants who have lived on the property for one year or more are entitled to 60 days' notice before the landlord can terminate the tenancy.