Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

My father lived in the same apartment for 22 years. The landlord (he had several over the years) was kind enough to limit his rent increases in recognition that the vacancy factor for his apartment was zero, and he seldom asked for any improvements - maybe he got a new fridge after 15 years, and that's about it. Landlords are not obligated to show special courtesies to long-term tenants, but the probably should and often do. There is an extended notice period of 60 days for a landlord's terminating a month-to-month tenancy where the tenant has been there over 12 months. In some cities, there may be local rent-control ordinances that also give special rights to long-term tenants. Otherwise, it's pretty much whatever the lease or rental agreement currently says.

You don't acquire any 'rights' be long term tenancy. Whatever is specified in your written lease determines them. Without one, you have limited 'rights' to habitability and not much else. Pay rent as demanded or be evicted. He can terminate you at will on modest notice.