Can a landlord dictate who comes to the house when someone is renting a room… or couch?

Question

My friend pays rent to live on someone’s couch but there is no lease between them. The landlord/homeowner is a horrible person. She refuses to work and is constantly telling lies to manipulate my friend into getting money from her. My friend feels obligated to give it to her because she doesn’t have anywhere else to go and is afraid to get kicked out. Her landlord hates me because I tell my friend to stand up for herself. She won’t even let us have a conversation in private and hovers behind us if I’m around. I’ve never caused any issues over there but her landlord starts stomping her feet and talking crap to me when I stop by to talk to my friend - the other day, I finally yelled back. I was parked on the street and she threatened to call the cops because I was there. I’m wondering, can she tell my friend that I’m not able to simply knock on the door in order to see my friend? I don’t want to go in the house but my friend doesn’t have a phone and sometimes I need to her a hold of her.

James L. Arrasmith · Answer

Your friend's situation with this controlling landlord is concerning, especially since there's no formal lease agreement in place. While tenants typically have the right to receive visitors during reasonable hours, the lack of a written agreement makes this situation more complex. 
 
In California, even without a formal lease, your friend still has basic tenant rights under month-to-month occupancy laws, including the right to "quiet enjoyment" of the property - which generally includes having visitors. However, since your friend is renting just a couch in a shared living space rather than a private room, the landlord might have more say in restricting access to common areas. 
 
The best path forward would be to help your friend establish a more stable living situation with clear written terms, as the current arrangement leaves her vulnerable to exploitation. In the meantime, you might consider meeting your friend in public places to avoid confrontations with the landlord, and help her explore local housing resources or roommate situations that would provide her with more independence and protection under California tenant laws. You might also want to document any harassment or intimidation from the landlord, as this could be relevant if legal intervention becomes necessary.

Q: Can a landlord dictate who comes to the house when someone is renting a room… or couch?