California Rent Control (AB 1482)
Primavera Realty · Resource Guide
California Rent Control: AB 1482 Explained
A plain-English overview of California’s statewide rent cap and just-cause eviction law — what it limits, who’s covered, and who’s exempt.
What AB 1482 is
The California Tenant Protection Act of 2019 — better known by its bill number, AB 1482 — is a statewide law that caps how much rent can rise each year and requires landlords to have a valid reason (“just cause”) to end most tenancies. It applies across California to properties that aren’t already covered by a stricter local ordinance (like San Francisco’s) and that don’t qualify for an exemption.
It’s currently set to remain in effect through January 1, 2030, unless extended.
The rent cap
Under AB 1482, annual rent increases are limited to 5% plus the local rate of inflation (CPI), or 10% — whichever is lower. In practice the total is almost always well under 10%. A landlord may raise rent no more than twice in any 12-month period, and the combined increases still can’t exceed the cap.
Quick math: If regional CPI is, say, 3.5%, the maximum increase that year is 8.5% (5% + 3.5%). Because CPI changes annually and by region, the exact ceiling shifts each year — always confirm the current figure for your area before raising rent.
Just-cause eviction
Once a tenant has lived in a unit for 12 months, a landlord generally needs a “just cause” to end the tenancy. Just causes fall into two groups:
- At-fault — non-payment of rent, lease violations, nuisance, or similar tenant conduct.
- No-fault — the owner or a close family member moving in, taking the unit off the rental market, a substantial remodel, or a government order. No-fault terminations generally require the landlord to pay relocation assistance (commonly one month’s rent).
Who’s exempt
AB 1482 doesn’t cover every property. Common exemptions include:
- Housing built within the last 15 years (a rolling date, so it updates each year).
- Single-family homes and condos — but only if the owner isn’t a corporation, LLC, or REIT, and the tenant was given the specific written exemption notice required by law. Miss either condition and the home is covered.
- Owner-occupied duplexes.
- Certain deed-restricted affordable housing and units already under a local rent-control ordinance.
Local laws can be stricter than the state. In San Francisco, for example, many older buildings fall under the city’s own rent ordinance — see our San Francisco rent control guide and SF vs. California comparison.
Please note: This is general educational information, not legal advice, and rent and eviction laws change frequently and depend on your specific situation. For current figures and your exact circumstances, consult the official AB 1482 resources or a qualified attorney.
Questions about your property?
Whether you own a rental, are buying an investment property, or are weighing a sale, we’re happy to help you think it through.