Under California law landlords have to adhere to housing standards and must refrain from using self help. There are housing standards that if violated will deem the property untenantable, meaning it cannot be rented out.

The property is deemed untentantable, if it substantially lacks the following:

(1) Effective waterproofing and wether protection of the roof, walls, windows, and doors;

(2) gas facilities maintained in good working order;

(3) a water supply capable of producing hot and cold running water, and connected to a sewage disposal system;

(4) heating facilities maintained in good working order;

(5) Electrical lighting, maintained in good working order;

(6) the building, the grounds, appurtenances, and all areas under control of the landlord starting from the time of the commencement of the lease or rental agreement have to be kept clean, sanitary, free from all accumulations of debris, filth, rubbish, garbage, rodents, and vermin;

(7) an adequate number of appropriate receptacles for garbage and rubbish, in clean condition and good repair at the time of the commence of the lease or rental agreement, and the landlord is responsible for the clean condition and good repair of the receptacles under his or her control;

(8) floors, stairways maintained in good repair.