Culver City rent control is real, and it protects many renters in town. The city’s Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections ordinance limits yearly rent increases and gives most tenants just-cause eviction protection. Under Culver City rent control, the yearly increase is tied to inflation (the Consumer Price Index, or CPI), with a 2% floor and a 5% ceiling. Starting July 1, 2026, the city announces the maximum allowed increase once a year instead of every month.
Is Your Unit Covered by Culver City Rent Control?
Start with the building, not the lease. Culver City rent control mainly covers multi-unit rental buildings of a certain age. California state law bars cities from capping rent on some housing, such as many newer buildings, single-family homes, and condos. As a result, two neighbors on the same street can have different rules.
The city’s just-cause eviction protections reach more tenants than the rent cap does. For example, you may be protected from eviction without a good reason even if your rent isn’t capped. The exact cutoff dates and exemptions for Culver City rent control are set by the ordinance. Confirm them with the city before you rely on them.
The easiest way to check your unit is the city’s own tool. The city publishes a rent cap decision tree that walks you through each question. You can also email or call the Rent Stabilization office with your address and ask whether your unit is covered.
| Rule | What it says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| How often rent can go up | Once every 12 months on a covered unit | Culver City Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections ordinance |
| Size of the yearly increase | Tied to CPI, with a 2% floor and a 5% ceiling | Culver City Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections ordinance |
| When the figure is announced | Once a year, starting July 1, 2026 (it used to be monthly) | City of Culver City Rent Stabilization page |
| Which units are covered | Depends on building type and age. Check the city’s decision tree. | Culver City ordinance and California state law |
| Where to complain | Tenant Petition for Noncompliance, filed with the city | City of Culver City Housing and Human Services |
How Much Rent Can Go Up Under Culver City Rent Control
Here is how Culver City rent control sets the yearly cap. The allowed increase follows the change in CPI. However, it never goes below 2% or above 5%. For example, if CPI rises less than 2%, your landlord may still raise rent by up to 2%. If CPI rises more than 5%, the increase stops at 5%.
Starting July 1, 2026, the city publishes one Annual Maximum Permissible Rent figure each year. Before that, the figure changed month to month. The exact percentage for the period that began July 1, 2026 must be confirmed on the City of Culver City Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protection page. You can also get it from the Rent Stabilization office. Don’t trust a number from a landlord website. Get it from the city.
Landlords can sometimes ask the city for more than the yearly cap. They do this through a rent adjustment application, often to cover a “fair return” on the property. In most cases, tenants get notice and a chance to respond. Your landlord must also give you written notice before any increase. Ask the city what notice period applies to you. California’s statewide rent cap law is mostly background here.
Typically, when your unit is covered by Culver City rent control, the local cap is the one that matters.
Eviction Protections in This City
Most Culver City renters are covered by just-cause eviction protection. That means your landlord needs a legal reason to end your tenancy. “At-fault” reasons include things like unpaid rent or a serious lease violation. “No-fault” reasons include the owner moving in or taking the unit off the rental market.
A no-fault eviction usually comes with extra duties for the landlord, such as paying relocation assistance. The ordinance sets the amounts and who qualifies. We couldn’t confirm the current dollar figures from the city’s published materials. Ask the Rent Stabilization office for them before you move out or sign anything. Culver City rent control protections don’t disappear just because a landlord says you “have to go.” A notice alone is not an eviction. Only a court can order you out.
Many tenants have defenses they don’t know about. For example, a landlord who skips a required step under Culver City rent control may have a weaker case. You may be able to stay in your home longer, or get relocation money you are owed. Check with your court’s self-help center or a local legal-aid office.
What to Do If Your Landlord Breaks the Rule
First, gather your paperwork. Bring your lease, every rent increase notice, proof of what you paid (bank records, receipts, money order stubs), and any eviction notices. Write down dates of conversations with your landlord. Short, dated notes are fine.
Next, contact the city’s Rent Stabilization office. It is part of Culver City Housing and Human Services. You can call (310) 253-5790 or email [email protected]. If your rent went up by more than Culver City rent control allows, you can file a Tenant Petition for Noncompliance. The city also publishes a plain-English What Tenants Need to Know notice. It’s worth reading before you file.
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Some situations need a lawyer fast. However, the city office can’t represent you in court. If you’ve been served with eviction papers, call legal aid right away. The same goes if your landlord shut off utilities or changed the locks. Retaliation for using your rights under Culver City rent control is also a reason to get help quickly. Many legal-aid offices in Los Angeles County help renters for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my apartment falls under Culver City rent control?
It depends on your building’s type and age. Use the city’s rent cap decision tree, or call the Rent Stabilization office at (310) 253-5790 with your address. They can tell you whether Culver City rent control applies to your unit.
What is the maximum rent increase right now?
The increase follows CPI, with a 2% floor and a 5% ceiling. Starting July 1, 2026, the city announces one yearly figure. Check the city’s Rent Stabilization page for the exact percentage.
My landlord raised my rent more than the cap. Do I have to pay it?
An increase above what Culver City rent control allows may not be valid. Keep paying your old rent on time while you get advice, and file a Tenant Petition for Noncompliance with the city. Talk to legal aid before you withhold any money, because nonpayment can lead to an eviction case.
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.
See Tenant Rights in All 50 States →
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.