Privacy Policy

Welcome to the California Renter privacy policy. We respect your privacy and are committed to safeguarding personal information in line with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), and CalOPPA. This page explains what data we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. It applies to visitors who read our tenant-rights guides, use interactive tools, or contact us by email.

Information We Collect

California Renter gathers only the information needed to operate a fast, helpful website about tenant rights. We never ask for Social Security numbers, driver’s-license scans, rental applications, or payment details. Data falls into two categories:

  • Passive data (automatic): IP address, device type, browser version, referring URL, time spent on a guide, and clicks inside our pages. These details arrive through standard web server logs and analytics cookies.
  • Active data (you provide): Your name and email address only if you write to us at help@californiarenter.com for help. We store that correspondence to resolve your request and keep an audit trail.

We do not combine passive and active data to profile individual visitors. Aggregated metrics help us answer a simple question: “Which guides should we improve next?”

Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Like most content websites, we place small text files—cookies—on your device to remember preferences and understand how articles perform. First-party cookies handle basic functions such as load-balancing and keeping calculators from resetting while you scroll. Third-party cookies come from Google Analytics and, on pages where ads appear, Google AdSense. These third parties may record your interactions and estimate broad demographic trends in order to show relevant ads elsewhere.

You can delete cookies any time in Chrome (Settings > Privacy & Security > Clear browsing data), Safari (Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data), or Firefox (Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data). To opt out of many advertising cookies at once, visit the Network Advertising Initiative.

Disable optional tracking cookies
This switch stores your choice in your own browser’s localStorage and prevents optional scripts from loading on future visits.

How We Use Your Information

We process data solely to run and improve California Renter, comply with law, and prevent fraud. Examples include:

  • Measuring which “rent-increase” guides get traction so we can expand coverage on related topics.
  • Diagnosing slow-loading pages by reviewing anonymised device and browser combinations.
  • Defending the site against spam or scraping by analysing unusual traffic patterns.
  • Meeting legal obligations if a court order requires limited log retention.

We never use personal data for credit, employment, housing, or medical decisions.

Third-Party Advertising & Analytics

California Renter partners with Google AdSense to display contextually relevant ads on most guide pages (this privacy policy page remains ad-free). AdSense may set its own cookies and track impressions, clicks, and device identifiers to limit repetitive ads and detect invalid traffic. In addition, we deploy Google Analytics to count visits and see aggregate engagement statistics.

These providers act as independent controllers of the data they collect. You can read Google’s policies here. Disabling optional cookies with the toggle above stops Google Analytics from loading, but AdSense cookies may still appear on other pages. Consider browser-level ad blockers if you want a site-wide opt-out.

Our articles link to statutes, city rent boards, and nonprofit resources. Once you leave California Renter, their privacy practices govern your interactions. We encourage you to read any unfamiliar site’s policy before submitting forms or personal details. We never sell or rent visitor data. The only time we share information is when required by law or to investigate security incidents.

How We Protect Your Data

Security matters to us because tenants often research sensitive topics such as habitability defects or eviction defense. We therefore:

  • Serve every page over HTTPS with modern TLS encryption.
  • Restrict server access to authorised staff using key-based SSH.
  • Patch underlying software promptly after security bulletins.
  • Store off-site backups daily in an encrypted vault.

Tip: Keep your own browser up to date and use strong, unique passwords to further safeguard your privacy online.

Compliance Notice: California Renter does not sell personal information and does not knowingly share or process sensitive personal data for targeted advertising.

Your Privacy Rights

You may request the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you during the past 12 months, plus the sources, business purpose, and third parties with whom that data was shared. To verify identity, we ask for your name, the email you used to contact us, and approximate visit date. We respond within 45 days.

You may instruct us to delete personal information we collected from you, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., security incidents or legal claims). If we deny a deletion request, we provide the specific exemption and let you appeal the decision. Deletion requests are processed free of charge up to twice per 12-month period.

If the limited personal details we hold are incorrect—such as a misspelled email—we will correct them upon verified request. Identical timelines and verification standards apply as with a request to know.

We do not sell personal information, but California law still grants you the right to submit an opt-out. We record such requests and honour global privacy control signals where technically feasible.

Because we do not collect sensitive categories (racial origin, geolocation, precise health data, etc.), our use is already limited. Should that ever change, you can direct us to use such information solely for the service you requested and nothing further.
Deep Dive: California Privacy Rights

Exercising Your Rights

  1. Email us: Send your request to help@californiarenter.com.
  2. Verify identity: Provide name, contact email, and approximate date of last visit—or forward the original message you sent if applicable.
  3. Wait for confirmation: We reply within 10 days acknowledging receipt and fulfil ordinary requests within 45 days, extendable by another 45 days when reasonably necessary.
  4. Appeal: If you feel our response is insufficient, reply to the same thread and include the word “Appeal” in the subject line. A different reviewer will reassess the decision.

Requests are free for up to two submissions per 12-month period. We will never discriminate against you for exercising any right described here.

Policy Updates & Effective Date

We may revise this policy to reflect changes in law or our practices. When material changes occur, we update the “Last Modified” date below and, where feasible, email visitors who contacted us within the prior six months. Continued use of the site after an update constitutes acceptance of the new terms.

Last Modified: June 22, 2025

Contact for Privacy Questions

Questions about this policy, our data practices, or your rights may be sent to help@californiarenter.com or mailed to:
California Renter
PO Box 0000
Sacramento, CA 95814