Yes, in California a tenant may be able to change the locks, but only under specific conditions. Tenants generally must provide the landlord with a key or obtain the landlord’s permission before changing locks, except in emergencies where there is an immediate threat to personal safety.
Outside of these situations, changing the locks without the landlord’s consent can be considered a violation of the lease and may result in legal consequences, such as eviction or liability for damages.
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The information for this answer was found on our California Landlord Tenant Rights answers.