California AB 1482 is the Tenant Protection Act. If a letter cites it, this law likely limits what your landlord can do. Under California AB 1482, most rent hikes max out at 5 percent plus inflation, never above 10 percent.
What California AB 1482 Actually Says
California AB 1482 is really two sections of the Civil Code. The rent cap is in Civil Code Section 1947.12. The eviction protections are in Civil Code Section 1946.2. Both current versions became operative on April 1, 2024. Section 1946.2 was last amended effective January 1, 2026.
The rent cap uses the lowest rent you paid in the 12 months before the increase. Discounts or credits you accepted do not count toward that base. As a result, a landlord cannot offer a “free month” and then measure the cap from a higher number. In addition, rent can only go up in two steps, at most, over 12 months.
The inflation part comes from a federal price index called the CPI-U. It is set for your metro area, such as Los Angeles, San Diego, or San Francisco. The exact percent changes every year. For that reason, confirm the current figure for your area before you trust any number in a letter. Here are the core rules of California AB 1482 at a glance.
| Provision | Exact rule | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Rent increase cap | 5% plus cost-of-living change, or 10%, whichever is lower, over any 12 months | 1947.12(a)(1) |
| Number of increases | No more than 2 increases in 12 months for the same tenant | 1947.12(a)(2) |
| Just cause kicks in | After 12 months of lawful occupancy (24 months for one tenant if adults were added) | 1946.2(a) |
| No-fault relocation help | 1 month’s rent, paid within 15 calendar days, or last month’s rent waived | 1946.2(d)(3) |
| Owner move-in | Owner or relative must move in within 90 days and stay 12 consecutive months | 1946.2(b)(2)(A)(v) |
| Law expires | January 1, 2030 | 1947.12(o), 1946.2(n) |
Who California AB 1482 Covers (and Who It Does Not)
In most cases, California AB 1482 covers apartments and other rentals across the state. However, the law has exemptions. Housing that got its certificate of occupancy within the previous 15 years is exempt. Deed-restricted affordable housing is exempt too. So are school and college dorms.
A single-family home or condo can also be exempt. However, this only works if the owner is not a corporation, a REIT, or an LLC with a corporate member. The landlord also has to give you a specific written exemption notice. For tenancies that started or renewed on or after July 1, 2020, that notice must be in the lease. If you never got it, the exemption may not apply. Check your lease carefully.
Local rules matter too. For example, a city with its own rent control that is stricter than California AB 1482 follows its own rules. A city just-cause law adopted on or before September 1, 2019 also controls. Later local laws apply only if they are more protective. Check with your city housing office to see which rules cover you.
What Your Landlord Must Do Under This Law
First, your landlord must tell you about your rights. The notice has to be in at least 12-point type. It must say that California law limits rent increases and requires a stated cause to end a tenancy. Typically it appears in your lease or an addendum. Rent increase notices must also follow the timing rules in Civil Code Section 827. Check that section for the exact day counts.
Second, the landlord must give a real reason to end your tenancy. At-fault reasons include not paying rent, a serious lease violation, or criminal activity. No-fault reasons include an owner move-in, taking the unit off the market, or a real demolition or major remodel. If the problem can be fixed, you must get a notice to fix it first. Only after that can a three-day notice to quit follow.
For a no-fault notice, the landlord has two choices. They can pay you one month’s rent to help you move. Or, they can waive your last month’s rent in writing before it is due. If they skip this step, the notice is void.
What You Can Do When It Is Broken
If your landlord overcharged you, California AB 1482 lets you sue for the overcharge amount. A court may also award attorney’s fees. If the landlord acted willfully, damages can be up to three times the overcharge. For example, if you were charged $100 too much each month, you may be able to get back every extra dollar.
If a landlord tries to evict you in material violation of the just-cause rules, you may be able to recover your actual damages. You may also get attorney’s fees and up to three times your damages in cases of willful conduct. Punitive damages are possible too. The Attorney General and your city attorney or county counsel can also enforce these rules.
Under California AB 1482, any waiver of these rights is void. As a result, a lease clause saying you “give up” these protections does not hold. If you have an eviction case in court, act now. Contact a local legal-aid office or a tenant attorney right away. Missing a court deadline can cost you your home, even when the law is on your side.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord raise the rent any amount when I move in?
Yes. For a brand-new tenancy, the landlord may set the starting rent freely. California AB 1482 only limits the increases that come after that first rent is set.
My landlord says my house is exempt. Is that true?
It might be, but only if the rules are met. The owner cannot be a corporation, a REIT, or an LLC with a corporate member. You also must have received the exact exemption statement. Without both, California AB 1482 may still protect you.
What happens if my landlord does not move in after an owner move-in eviction?
The owner or relative must move in within 90 days and live there 12 consecutive months. If they do not, the owner must offer you the unit back at the same rent. They must also cover reasonable moving costs beyond any relocation money already paid.
Protect your stuff while you sort this out
A landlord’s insurance does not cover your belongings — renters insurance does, often for a few dollars a month. Compare options before your next move.
Find Your State’s Exact Rules
Notice periods, deposit caps, and the eviction timeline all change from state to state. Pick your state to see the exact days, dollar limits, and steps that apply where you live.
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Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
California Renter Guides
- California Eviction Process
- California Tenant Rights
- California Security Deposit Law
- California Rent Increase Laws
- California Repairs and Habitability
- Breaking a Lease in California
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Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.