In California, the amount a landlord can raise rent is generally limited by the Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482). Under this law, rent increases are capped at 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI), with a maximum increase of 10% per 12-month period, whichever is lower
Key details:
- The allowable rent increase varies by region and year, based on the local CPI. For example, for rent increases effective between August 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025, the cap ranges from about 8.6% to 9.3% depending on the county (e.g., 8.6% in San Diego County, 8.9% in Los Angeles County, 9.3% in Riverside County)
- Landlords cannot raise rent more than twice in any 12-month period, and the total increase cannot exceed the annual allowable amount
- Some types of housing are exempt from this cap, including:
- Housing built within the last 15 years
- Affordable housing units
- Properties already under stricter local rent control
- Single-family homes or condos not owned by corporations
- Duplexes where the owner lives in one unit
- Proper notice is required: at least 30 days’ written notice for increases under 10%, and 90 days’ notice if the increase is more than 10% compared to the rent 12 months prior
Local variations:
- Los Angeles County has an additional local ordinance limiting rent increases for some properties to 3% annually (or 4% for small landlords with 10 or fewer units), which is stricter than the statewide cap for those areas
In summary, most landlords in California can raise rent once every 12 months by up to 5% plus inflation, capped at 10%, with specific percentages depending on the local CPI and region. Exemptions and local ordinances may impose different limits, so landlords and tenants should check both state and local rules
