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Rent Increases

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California "Rent Cap"

CA tenants are protected from unreasonable rent increases. Commonly referred to as the “rent cap,” the law restricts your landlord from increasing your rent more than 5% + the local rate of inflation, or 10% (whichever is less) in a twelve-month period.

  • The “rent cap” is calculated each year and may be different based on when the rent increase is to take effect:
    • For rent increases that took effect Aug. 01, 2021 through July 31, 2022, the allowable increase was 9.1%
    • For rent increases that take effect on Aug. 01, 2022 through July 31, 2023, the allowable increase was 10%
    • For rent increases that take effect on Aug. 01, 2023 through July 31, 2024, the allowable increase is 10%
    • For rent increases that take effect on Aug. 01, 2024 through July 31, 2025, the allowable increase is 8.6%
    • For rent increases that take effect on Aug. 01, 2025 through July 31, 2026, the allowable increase is 8.8%
  • Your rent cannot be raised more than two times in a twelve-month period, and the total increase cannot exceed the annual allowable amount
  • The cap does not apply to initial rental amount for new tenancies

EXCLUDED HOUSING

The “rent cap” does not apply to:

  • Housing built within the past 15 years
  • Affordable housing units
  • Housing subject to more protective local rent control
  • Single-family homes or condos with no corporate ownership
  • Duplexes if owner lives in other unit
  • School-owned housing

Did You Receive Proper Notice of a Rent Increase?

You are entitled to proper notice of a rent increase, regardless of whether the “rent cap” applies.

Per Cal. Civ. Code § 827:

  • You are entitled to at least 30 days’ written notice if your landlord intends to raise your rent less than 10%.
  • In most circumstances, you are entitled to at least 90 days’ written notice if your landlord intends to raise the rent more than 10% of the what the rent was twelve (12) months prior.
  • For rent increases that take effect on Aug. 01, 2025 through July 31, 2026, the allowable increase is 8.8%