California's statewide rent cap, established by AB 1482 (the Tenant Protection Act of 2019), limits how much your landlord can increase rent each year.
The rent cap formula
Your landlord cannot increase rent by more than the lesser of:
- 5% + local Consumer Price Index (CPI), or
- 10% total
This means even if inflation is high, the maximum annual increase is 10%.
How often can rent be increased?
- Only once per 12-month period
- With at least 30 days' written notice (or 90 days if the increase is more than 10%)
What's covered
AB 1482 covers most residential rental properties in California that are at least 15 years old. This includes apartments, condos, townhouses, and single-family homes owned by corporations.
What's NOT covered
- Properties less than 15 years old
- Single-family homes owned by individuals (not corporations) — but the owner must provide a specific notice of exemption
- Owner-occupied duplexes
- Most affordable housing with government restrictions
- Dorms, hospitals, and other institutional housing
Local rent control may be stricter
Cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland, Berkeley, and others have their own rent control ordinances that may set even lower caps than the state law. The stricter law applies.
What to do if your rent increase is illegal
- Check if your unit is covered by AB 1482
- Calculate the maximum allowable increase
- If the increase exceeds the limit, notify your landlord in writing
- File a complaint with your local rent board (if applicable)
- Consider contacting a tenant rights organization