In California, rent control laws are governed primarily by the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), which caps annual rent increases for certain properties at 5% plus the local inflation rate, up to a maximum of 10%.
Any rental unit built after 2/1/95, as well as houses and condos, are not under rent restrictions. Even where these rent restrictions do not apply, eviction protections do continue.
A wave of new legislation strengthening tenant protections in California goes into effect in 2024. These laws limit evictions, cap security deposits, extend rent control, and make it easier for tenants to fight back against landlords trying to skirt housing regulations.
Just Cause Protections California's Tenant Protection Act of 2019 requires landlords to provide “just cause” for evictions after a tenant has lived in a rental property for 12 months or longer.
The new California law puts a statewide ceiling on rent hikes each year. So if inflation was 4% in your city last year, the maximum increase would be 9% for your unit. This provides an important check against runaway rent spikes every time a lease is renewed.
Text “HELPLINE” to 650-600-7821, which can help inform you of your protections right away.
The State of California Department of Consumer Affairs can help with questions or complaints regarding landlord/tenant relationships, including repair issues, safety violations, and Health and Safety Code violations. For further information, call (800) 952-5210, or visit the website at .dca.ca.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1482 on Oct. 8, 2019, enacting statewide rent control legislation in California, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2020.