Inglewood rent control is real, and it comes with just-cause eviction protection for most apartment renters in the city. Under inglewood rent control, the city’s posted cap is 3.7% for buildings with 5 or more units and 8.7% for buildings with 4 or fewer units, based on inflation figures published May 12, 2026.
Is Your Unit Covered by Inglewood Rent Control?
The law is the Housing Protection Ordinance (Ordinance 21-09). In most cases, inglewood rent control covers apartments, duplexes, and other rentals in the city. However, some homes are left out. For example, units that got a certificate of occupancy for new construction within the last 15 years are exempt. That 15-year window rolls forward every year.
Single-family homes and condos can be exempt too, but only if two things are true. First, every owner must be a natural person or a family trust, not a company. Second, the landlord must have given you a written notice saying the unit is exempt. If you never got that notice, you may still be covered.
| Rule | What it says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| New buildings | Exempt for 15 years after the certificate of occupancy | Ord. 21-09, Sec. 8-125(k)(7) |
| Houses and condos | Exempt only if all owners are natural persons AND you got the written exemption notice | Ord. 21-09, Sec. 8-125(k)(6) |
| Owner lives on site | Exempt if the owner lives there and rents out no more than one unit | Ord. 21-09, Sec. 8-125(k)(6) |
| Affordable housing | Deed-restricted low- or moderate-income units are exempt | Ord. 21-09, Sec. 8-125(k)(4) |
| Registration | Landlords must register rental units every year by October 1 | Ord. 21-09, Sec. 8-126(b) |
To check a specific address, call the Housing Protection Department. Typically, a covered building must also post a registration certificate in the lobby, near the mailboxes, or near a public entrance. As a result, that certificate is a good first clue.
How Much Rent Can Go Up Under Inglewood Rent Control
The cap depends on building size. For 5 or more units, inglewood rent control allows 3% or inflation, whichever is greater. For 4 or fewer units, it allows 5% plus inflation. No increase can go over 10%. Inflation is measured by the Los Angeles-area Consumer Price Index for the 12 months ending April 30.
The city’s Housing Protection page lists a CPI of 3.7%, published May 12, 2026. That makes the cap 3.7% for 5 or more units and 8.7% for 4 or fewer. However, the city page still labels these figures “FY 2025-2026.” Call the department to confirm the exact dates these numbers apply to your increase.
Your landlord can raise rent only once every 12 months. The city says an increase comes after a 30-day notice of change in terms. The landlord must also record the increase in the city’s rental registry. A few extras are allowed under inglewood rent control, but only with city approval. For example, below-market units can get a bit more, still capped at 10%. Capital improvement pass-throughs need Rental Housing Board approval. They are capped at $100 per month, for no more than 72 months.
California’s statewide cap is only background here. The Inglewood cap is tighter, so it controls.
Eviction Protections in This City
Once any tenant has lived in the unit lawfully for 12 months, the landlord needs “just cause” to end the tenancy. At-fault reasons include unpaid rent, serious lease violations, nuisance, or criminal activity. No-fault reasons include an owner move-in, an Ellis Act withdrawal, demolition, or a government order to vacate. The eviction notice must state the reason. The landlord must file a copy with the city within 3 days. If the notice doesn’t strictly follow the rules, it is void.
No-fault evictions trigger relocation money. The base amount is 3 times your monthly rent. Add $2,000 if a minor lives in the unit. The landlord must pay within 15 calendar days of serving the notice.
| Tenant status | Additional relocation assistance |
|---|---|
| Adult living there 2 to 4 years | $2,000 |
| Adult living there 5 to 10 years | $3,000 |
| Adult living there 11+ years | $5,000 |
| Disabled person or senior (62+) | $7,500 |
For an owner move-in, the owner or close relative must move in within 60 days and stay 24 months. In many cases, seniors or disabled tenants who have lived there 5 or more years can’t be evicted for an owner move-in. Terminally ill tenants have the same protection.
What to Do If Your Landlord Breaks Inglewood Rent Control Rules
Start with the City of Inglewood Housing Protection Department. The office is at 1 Manchester Blvd, 6th Floor, Inglewood, CA 90301. Call 310-412-4330 or email [email protected]. You can file a petition with the Program Administrator. For example, you can ask for a rent decrease or challenge a relocation amount. A hearing is typically set 15 to 60 days after your petition is accepted.
Bring your lease, every rent increase notice, rent receipts, and any eviction notice. Also bring photos, texts, and emails. As a result, the city can see the full timeline quickly.
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You also have rights in court under inglewood rent control. You can sue for actual and punitive damages plus attorney’s fees. You may get triple damages if the landlord acted willfully. You don’t have to go to the city first. If you face an eviction, a landlord who broke the ordinance may lose. Retaliation is also illegal. If you have an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or tenant attorney right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does inglewood rent control apply to my house?
It might. A house is exempt only if all owners are natural persons and you got a written exemption notice. If you never got that notice, ask the Housing Protection Department whether inglewood rent control covers you.
Can my landlord raise my rent twice in one year?
No. Rent can go up only once in any 12-month period. The one exception is an extra 10% for each added tenant, and even that has conditions.
What if my landlord never registered the unit?
Unregistered landlords can’t demand rent or evict until they serve you a valid registration certificate. You may be able to use this as a defense. Check with a local legal-aid office.
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.