I have a lease with my landlord. The lease states I need permission to have a guest over.

Question

I rent a self contained room with bathroom and share their kitchen in the main house. I have asked multiple times and every time she says no. I am only asking for my guest to be in my room not the shared house, and only to watch TV and study, nothing loud or intrusive to the main house. I discovered that this term in the lease may violate my right as a tenant in CA. Does she have the right to bar all guests? Can she evict me if I don’t adhere to her rule?

James L. Arrasmith · Answer

In California, you have the right to quiet enjoyment of your rental property, which includes having guests visit within reasonable limits - even if your lease states otherwise. This basic right cannot be completely restricted by your landlord, as such restrictions would be considered unreasonable and potentially unenforceable. 
 
Your situation of renting a self-contained room makes this somewhat more complex, but given that you're only requesting guests in your private space and not shared areas, your landlord's blanket "no guests" policy likely wouldn't hold up legally. While landlords can impose reasonable restrictions (like limiting overnight stays or requiring advance notice), they cannot completely prohibit guests from visiting. 
 
If your landlord attempts to evict you solely for having occasional guests in your private room, you would likely have a strong defense in court. However, to protect yourself, keep written records of your reasonable requests and your landlord's responses, and ensure your guests don't disturb other residents. Consider reaching out to your local tenant rights organization or seeking legal consultation for specific guidance on handling this situation with your landlord.

Q: I have a lease with my landlord. The lease states I need permission to have a guest over.