Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Re: Renovation of rental property

California Civil Code section 1954 controls the landlord's right of access to rented apartments, unless the written lease provides otherwise. The landlord's workers can enter to do "necessary or agreed repairs, decorating, alterations, etc." upon reasonable notice (usually 24 hours will do). Entry must be during normal business hours.

Since what you describe seems to be within the access permitted by law, you probably don't have a claim for compensation. Further, since you were paying rent monthly after the expiration of your written lease, you now have a month-to-month tenancy and the two months' notice given is more than required by law (see Civil Code sections 1945 and 1946 at your local law library).

Note that the terms and conditions of your old, expired lease are also the terms of your post-expiration month-to-month tenancy under CC 1945; thus, provisions (if any)in the old lease re landlord access remain in effect.

A landlord can usually terminate a tenancy for any good reason, or for no reason, but not for a bad reason. If you suspect retaliation, discrimination or some other "foul play" other that a more profitable use of the building, you should contact a tenants'-rights specialist.