Landlord Unlawful Entry California

Summary

The user, a tenant in California, is facing issues with her landlord entering her apartment without valid reasons. The landlord initially entered to check smoke detectors, and now wants to conduct a general inspection including closets and drawers. The user has tried discussing the issue with the landlord and management, but the entries continue. The user has documented these instances and is considering seeking legal advice.

Full Conversation

landlord entry of my apartment
What state are you located in, ****? Laws regarding landlord entry vary by location.
california
In California, landlords can only enter your apartment under specific circumstances like emergencies, repairs, or showing the property. They must give a *-hour notice. Is your landlord not following these rules?
no
If your landlord is not following these rules, you may have a case for violation of privacy. Have you documented these instances?
yes
That's good. Have you tried discussing this issue with your landlord or a local tenant's rights organization?
yes
What was the outcome of your discussion with your landlord or the tenant's rights organization?
they still want to enter
What is the reason your landlord is giving for wanting to enter your apartment?
before it was to check smoke detectors but when I showed her they just checked them six months ago now they want a yearly inspection and they want to go inside my closets and drawers
What is the exact reason they provided for wanting to inspect your closets and drawers? In California, landlords generally cannot invade a tenant's personal space without a valid reason.
general inspection
In California, a "general inspection" is not a valid reason for a landlord to invade your personal space like closets and drawers. Have you considered seeking legal advice?
im low income
What city are you located in, ****? There are many organizations in California that provide free or low-cost legal assistance to low-income individuals.
oceanside california
What is the frequency of these inspections and entries by your landlord?

In California, landlords can't abuse their right to access or use it to harass the tenant.
six months ago
What actions have you taken since the last entry six months ago?
I emailed management and they still want to reinspect
What was the response from the management when you emailed them about the issue?
That they do yearly inspections of all units every year but they just did one six months age
What was the reason given for the inspection six months ago and the upcoming one? In California, landlords can't conduct inspections without a valid reason.
smoke detectors
What was the outcome of the smoke detector inspection six months ago?
nothing they checked them
What actions did you take after the smoke detector inspection six months ago?
nothing
What is the reason given for the upcoming inspection?
checking closets and loose cords and items in the walkway and items being stored inside ovens and cleansiness
What is the frequency of these inspections and are they providing a *-hour notice each time? In California, landlords must provide a *-hour notice before entering for inspections.
yes
What actions have you taken since receiving the notice for the upcoming inspection?