Resources
Official California and Central Valley resources. These are outside sites we don't control. We link them because they're the real source instead of our summary of it.
Know your rights
Start here. These explain the rules in plain language, straight from the state.
- California Tenants, the state's official guideThe state's official handbook explaining what renters and landlords can and cannot do.
- California Courts: landlords and tenantsCourt help center covering eviction, security deposits and repairs, for both sides.
- California Courts: eviction and housing helpThe courts' free help page for renters and landlords dealing with eviction.
If you've been discriminated against
Filing costs nothing and you don't need a lawyer. There are deadlines, so don't wait on it.
- California Civil Rights Department: housing discriminationThe state agency page explaining illegal housing discrimination and your rights.
- File a discrimination complaint with the stateHow to file free with California, usually within one year of what happened.
- Report housing discrimination to HUDThe federal government's page for reporting discrimination, free and without a lawyer.
In the City of Fresno
City programs for renting here. The eviction attorney is free to any tenant, whatever your income or documents.
- Fresno Eviction Protection ProgramA free attorney from the city if you're facing an eviction that isn't lawful. No income test and no questions about documents.
- Report an unsafe rental to Fresno Code EnforcementReport a rental that isn't safe or isn't being repaired. Complaints are confidential. You can also call (559) 621-8400.
- Fresno rental registration, for landlordsFresno requires rental properties to register, and it's free. Check here whether your situation is covered before you assume it isn't.
- FresGO, report a problem to the cityThe city's app and portal for reporting property and neighborhood problems.
Free legal help
Real lawyers, no cost, if you qualify. They handle evictions, deposits and repairs.
- Central California Legal ServicesFree lawyers for renters dealing with eviction or deposit problems in Fresno, Merced, Tulare and nearby counties.
- California Rural Legal Assistance: housingFree legal help with housing for low-income and farmworker communities.
- LawHelpCA: find legal aid near youFinds the free legal aid office nearest you for housing and other civil problems.
Housing help in the Valley
Local agencies for vouchers, low cost housing, and reporting a place that isn't safe.
- Fresno HousingThe local agency for Section 8 vouchers and low-cost apartments across Fresno County.
- City of Fresno: report an unsafe rentalWhere to report a rental in Fresno that is unsafe or isn't being repaired.
- City of Fresno: housing programs and emergency helpCity list of housing programs plus shelters and emergency help in Fresno.
- Housing Authority of the City of MaderaRent help and affordable units in the Madera area.
- Housing Authority of the County of MercedSection 8 vouchers and public housing in Merced County.
- Housing Authority of the County of Tulare (Visalia)Rent help and low cost housing for Visalia and Tulare County, including farmworker housing.
The laws themselves
The actual text of the law, for when you need to point at something in writing. Dense, but it's the real thing.
- Civil Code 1950.5, security depositsHow much deposit a landlord can charge, and the 21-day rule for returning it.
- Civil Code 1946.5, lodgersRenting a room in a home where the owner also lives, and how that arrangement ends.
- Civil Code 1954, when a landlord can enterThe only reasons a landlord may enter, and the notice they owe you first.
- AB 12 (2023), the deposit capThe law capping most security deposits at one month's rent from July 2024.
- AB 1482 (2019), Tenant Protection ActLimits yearly rent increases and requires a just cause to end some tenancies.
Links open a government or nonprofit site in a new tab. Every one was checked on 18 July 2026. If one is broken, tell us and we will fix it.
Unido isn't a law firm and nothing here is legal advice. These pages explain how Unido works and point you to official sources. They don't tell you what the law requires in your situation. For that, talk to a lawyer or one of the free legal aid groups on our Resources page.
Last updated July 18, 2026. Written by the Unido team. A lawyer hasn't reviewed it yet. We'll say so here when one has.