California Tenant Protection Act

Statewide rent cap and just cause protections

Use this guide to understand your rights under the California Tenant Protection Act “TPA” (AB 1482), a state law that provides protections for renters.

NOTE: Properties not covered by the TPA may still be subject to local regulations onrent and evictions. The TPA does not limit local rent control or eviction protections when these laws offer more protection for the tenant. A tenant may not waive their rights to TPA protections and any agreement to do so by the tenant is not enforceable.

TPA covered properties

• Multifamily properties (3+ units) built before the last 15 years
• Duplexes not occupied by the owner
• Single-family homes and condos owned by corporations, a real estate trust or an LLC with at least one corporate member

All tenants in units covered by the TPA must receive written notice from their landlord explaining the "just cause" and rent cap protections.

Rent increases

• Rents may not be raised over the annual maximum each year. The limit is adjusted every August (cannot exceed 5% + CPI (local inflation) or 10%, whichever is lower).
• The maximum rent increase for Los Angeles County is 8.9% and for Ventura County is 8.8% from August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025.
• Rent may be increased 2X a year, but total increase must be less than 5% + CPI. Rent increases are based on the "gross rental rate," which does not include discounts from landlord (ex: first month free). Discounts must be listed on the lease.

Properties not covered by the TPA

• Properties built in the last 15 years
• Owner-occupied duplexes
• Rent-controlled homes
• Affordable housing, hotels and dorms
• Single-family homes and condos owned by individuals or families*

*Landlords must give tenants written notice if they are claiming the single-family home or condominium exemption to the TPA, or the unit may not be exempt.

Rent increases

• All properties in California must be given 30 days' notice of any rent increase equal to 10% or less.
• For rent increases over 10%, properties not covered by the TPA must be given 90 days' notice (CA Civil Code 827).
• Some cities and counties in California have local rent control ordinances that may provide rent increase protections.
• Each of these ordinances are different, so it is important for tenants to review the ordinance specific to where they live. Contact a counselor at HRC today to learn more.

Just Cause (Eviction Protections)

• The TPA prohibits landlords from evicting tenants without "just cause," or a legal reason for eviction that is described in the law.
• To have just cause protections, all renters must have lived in the unit for one year, or at least one of the renters must have lived in the unit for two years (if the co-tenant moved in during the tenancy).
• Landlords must provide a chance to cure, or fix, an alleged violation.
• Notice to vacate must include reason for eviction; if not, the notice will not be valid.
• Landlords can only evict tenants who have just-cause protections for "at-fault" reasons (because of something the renter has done or refused to do) and "no-fault" reasons (because of something the landlord wants to do with the property.

If the eviction is for a "no-fault" reason, the landlord must make a relocation payment to the renter equal to one month's rent, or waive the final month's rent. The eviction notice must inform the renter of their right to a relocation payment or rent waiver. The landlord must make the relocation payment to the renter no later than 15 days after giving the renter the eviction notice. 

Questions? 

Contact HRC for free counseling:

Call 1-800-477-5977 or TTY 213-201-0867

Email info@housingrightscenter.org