Q: Can I sue my landlord for moving costs and recover my deposit and rent due to harassment?

A: Based on California tenant law, you have strong grounds for legal action against your landlord due to the harassment you've experienced. The documented pattern of threatening calls, verbal abuse, invasion of privacy through "spies," and constant surveillance likely constitutes what's legally known as "constructive eviction" - where your landlord has made living conditions so intolerable that you're effectively forced to move.

Your thorough documentation of the harassment incidents will be crucial evidence in court. California law specifically protects tenants from landlord harassment under Civil Code 1940.2, which prohibits threatening behavior, abuse, and interference with your right to quiet enjoyment of your rental. You can likely recover your security deposit, potentially your first month's rent, and reasonable moving expenses by filing in small claims court (for amounts under $12,500) or superior court for larger claims.

Consider sending a final written notice via certified mail detailing the harassment despite her preference for phone calls, as this creates additional evidence of your attempt to resolve the situation. You might also contact a local tenant rights organization or legal aid society for help preparing your case, as they often provide free or low-cost assistance to renters facing landlord issues. Remember that her claim that you're "powerless" because you live in her house is incorrect - California law provides robust tenant protections regardless of whether you rent a separate apartment or a room in an owner-occupied dwelling.