Santa Monica rent control limits how much rent can go up each year on covered units. For September 2026, Santa Monica rent control allows a 2.6% General Adjustment, capped at a $70 increase for higher-rent units.
Is Your Unit Covered by Santa Monica Rent Control?
Santa Monica rent control applies to what the city calls “controlled rental units.” The city’s Maximum Lawful Rent page does not list the building-age cutoffs or exemptions. As a result, confirm those details directly with the Rent Control Agency. Don’t rely on a landlord’s word that your unit is “exempt.”
The fastest check is the city’s Look Up a Rent tool. It shows the MAR for a controlled property. It also shows the latest registered tenancy date for tenancies that started on or after January 1, 1999. If your unit shows up with a MAR, it is controlled. If your move-in date is missing, your tenancy may not be registered.
Your move-in date matters too. For tenancies that began before January 1, 1999, the MAR is in most cases based on the rent in effect on April 10, 1978. Allowed increases and decreases are then added or subtracted. Since January 1, 1999, owners can set the starting rent for most new tenancies. After that, Santa Monica rent control limits how fast that rent can climb.
| Rule | What it says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Allowable Rent (MAR) | The rent ceiling for a controlled unit, not counting fees or surcharges | Santa Monica Rent Control Board |
| Starting rent for new tenancies | Since January 1, 1999, owners set the initial rent for most new tenancies | Santa Monica Rent Control Board |
| Registration | Owners must register each new tenancy with the Rent Control Agency | Santa Monica Rent Control Board |
| General Adjustment (September 2026) | 2.6% increase; no more than $70 for units with a MAR of $2,674 or more | Santa Monica Rent Control Board |
| Registration fee pass-through (2026/2027 fiscal year) | Fee is $240 per unit per year; up to $10.00 a month may be passed to the tenant with proper notice | Santa Monica Rent Control Board |
| Property-tax surcharges (2026/2027) | Limited to the lowest of: the correct prorated amount, 4% of the 2026/2027 MAR, or $35 a month | Santa Monica Rent Control Board |
How Much Rent Can Go Up Under Santa Monica Rent Control
Each year, the Rent Control Board announces a General Adjustment (GA). For September 2026, the GA is 2.6% for eligible units. However, there is a ceiling. If your MAR is $2,674 or more, the increase can’t exceed $70. The GA takes effect September 1 each year. It is based mainly on 75% of the change in the Los Angeles-area Consumer Price Index for the 12 months ending in March.
Under Santa Monica rent control, a landlord can’t take the GA automatically. The increase is allowed only if all of these are true:
- Your tenancy started before September 1 of the previous year.
- All Rent Control registration fees and penalties for the property are paid.
- Your unit’s tenancy is properly registered.
- There are no uncorrected citations or notices of violation of health, safety, or housing laws for the property.
- The owner follows the Rent Control Law.
- The owner gives you proper written notice at least 30 days in advance.
Your total legal rent is called the Maximum Lawful Rent. It can include three parts: the MAR, half of the registration fee, and some property-tax surcharges. For the 2026/2027 fiscal year, the half-fee pass-through is $10.00 a month. Surcharges are allowed only if your tenancy began before March 1, 2018. The property also can’t have been reassessed on or after that date because of a sale or voluntary improvements. The landlord must give you proper notice, typically with a copy of the tax bill.
California’s statewide rent cap is background only here. The local rules are what the Santa Monica Rent Control Board enforces for controlled units. If you’re unsure which rule applies to you, ask the Rent Control Agency. They can confirm how Santa Monica rent control and state law fit together for your unit.
Eviction Protections in This City
Many tenants worry that challenging a rent increase will get them evicted. That fear makes sense. However, the city’s Maximum Lawful Rent page does not spell out eviction reasons or relocation payment amounts. As a result, you should confirm the exact just-cause rules and any relocation amounts with the Rent Control Agency. Don’t guess, and don’t accept the landlord’s numbers without checking.
Some key points apply in most cases. A notice from your landlord is not an eviction order. Only a court can order you out. If your landlord claims a “no-fault” reason, like moving in or taking the unit off the market, ask the Rent Control Agency what that reason requires under Santa Monica rent control. Also ask whether you’re owed relocation money. Get every answer in writing if you can.
Keep paying the rent you believe is legal while you sort things out. Keep copies of every notice, text, and receipt. In most cases, a written paper trail is your best protection under Santa Monica rent control.
What to Do If Your Landlord Breaks the Santa Monica Rent Control Rules
First, look up your unit’s MAR with the city’s Look Up a Rent tool. Next, add any allowed extras. For 2026/2027, that means up to $10.00 a month for the registration fee. It may also include tax surcharges, but only if you qualify. Compare that total to what you’re being charged. For example, if your MAR is $2,800, the September 2026 increase can’t be more than $70.
Next, check the notice. Did you get it in writing at least 30 days before the increase? Is your tenancy registered? If something looks wrong, contact the Santa Monica Rent Control Agency. The official page does not list a complaint form, office address, or phone number. As a result, confirm how to file with the agency directly through the city’s rent control page.
Bring these items when you contact the agency:
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- Your lease and your move-in date
- Rent receipts, bank records, or canceled checks
- Every rent increase notice you received
- Any property tax bill copy your landlord gave you for surcharges
- Your Look Up a Rent results, printed or saved
Santa Monica rent control staff can explain your MAR and your options. However, they are not your lawyer. If you face an eviction notice, a lawsuit, or threats, call a local legal-aid office or tenant attorney right away. Many tenants may be able to recover overcharges or stop an unlawful increase. Still, no outcome is guaranteed, so get help early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord raise my rent in September 2026 under Santa Monica rent control?
Yes, typically by up to 2.6%, if your unit qualifies and every condition is met. The owner must give you written notice at least 30 days ahead. Your tenancy must also have started before September 1, 2025.
What if my rent is already high?
If your MAR is $2,674 or more, the September 2026 increase is capped at $70. For example, a 2.6% increase on a $3,000 MAR would be $78. However, Santa Monica rent control limits it to $70.
Can my landlord charge more than my MAR?
Only for certain approved extras. For 2026/2027, that means up to $10.00 a month in registration fees. Tax surcharges are allowed only for tenancies that began before March 1, 2018, and never more than $35 a month. Anything else above the MAR is worth questioning with the Rent Control Agency.
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.