CA Civ Proc Code Section 527.12

(a)

A property owner, or an agent of the property owner, may execute a “Declaration of Ownership” that includes language substantially similar to the language below and file it with the local law enforcement agency of the jurisdiction in which the property is located. If the property owner, or the agent of the property owner, files the declaration with the local law enforcement agency, he or she shall also post the declaration on the unoccupied residential property listed in the declaration. “DECLARATION OF OWNERSHIP OF RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY I, ____________________, declare and state: I make this declaration based upon my own personal knowledge. 1.I am the owner___, or the agent of the owner___(check one), of the residential property located at _____________________, California (“Property”). 2.Submitted with this declaration, and incorporated herein by reference, is a true and correct copy of the deed by which I obtained ownership of the Property. 3.Since obtaining ownership of the Property, no ownership interest in the Property has been conveyed or transferred to any other person or entity. 4.At the time of obtaining ownership of the Property, no person was occupying the Property and no ownership interest or right of possession in the Property has been conveyed or transferred to any other person or entity. 5.As of the present date, there are no persons authorized by me or my agent to reside within the Property. Any persons residing on this Property are doing so without any express or implied authorization from me or my agent. 6.I have not entered into any form of lease arrangement, rental agreement, or given any consent whatsoever to any persons to reside within the Property. 7.I will advise the local law enforcement agency if there is any change in the status of the Property and an occupancy is authorized by me or my agent. 8.I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. EXECUTED on _________________________________, at _______________________, California”

(b)

Notwithstanding Section 47 of the Civil Code, a property owner, or agent thereof, who files a declaration pursuant to this section that includes false information regarding the right to possess the property is liable to any person who, as a result of the declaration, is caused to vacate the property, for reasonable attorney’s fees, special damages not to exceed $2,000, and all damages resulting from the person having to vacate the property.

(c)

This section applies only to one- to four-unit residences in the Cities of Palmdale and Lancaster in the County of Los Angeles and the City of Ukiah in the County of Mendocino.

(d)

This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends that date.