Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Conviction of a felony or crime of moral turpitude can be brought in to attack your credibility, but normally not a misdemeanor unless it shows a habit and custom that is relevant to the case [e.g., you claim the landlord stole money from you and twice were convicted of misdemeanors for falsely reporting thefts to the police might be allowed in by a judge.

Before you rented the apartment, the landlord could put in a clause against previously convicted individuals but not once you have an outgoing lease [but when it renews he could demand beforehand new terms to continue it]. Having a criminal background is not a protected class as to discrimination.