Last updated: January 2026
A plain-English guide to the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 — who's covered, what the rent cap is, and how the just-cause eviction rules work.
Not sure if your unit is covered? Check your address →
AB 1482, officially the Tenant Protection Act of 2019, is California's statewide baseline for rent stabilization and eviction protections. It became effective on January 1, 2020, and originally was set to sunset January 1, 2030 — though tenant advocates and the legislature have proposed extensions and modifications.
The law has two main parts:
AB 1482 is a floor, not a ceiling. Many California cities — like San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Santa Monica, and Los Angeles — have their own local rent control ordinances that provide stronger tenant protections. Where local law is stricter, the local law applies.
AB 1482 uses a 15-year rolling rule: your unit is covered if it was built more than 15 years ago. In 2026, that means buildings constructed before 2011. In 2027, that rolls forward to 2012, and so on.
On top of the age test, the unit type and ownership also matter:
AB 1482 carves out several categories that fall outside the rent cap and just-cause requirements:
Under AB 1482, a landlord can raise rent in a 12-month period by the lower of:
The "regional CPI" depends on which of California's official CPI regions your unit is in. California has several regions tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Because the CPI updates each year, the current allowable increase for your specific city changes annually. Check your address to see the up-to-date cap for your unit.
Two more important rules:
After a tenant has lived in a unit for 12 continuous months (or 24 months in some shared-occupancy situations), the landlord must have a legally recognized reason to end the tenancy. AB 1482 splits these into two categories:
For no-fault evictions, the landlord must either pay one month's rent as relocation assistance or waive the final month's rent. They must also provide written notice and follow the specific procedural rules.
Some California cities had their own rent control ordinances before AB 1482 was passed. The state law explicitly preserves and supersedes nothing from those local laws — wherever a local ordinance is stricter, the local rules apply. If a local ordinance is weaker than AB 1482, then AB 1482's floor kicks in instead.
Cities with their own stronger rent control include:
If you live in one of these cities, the local ordinance — not AB 1482 — likely sets your rent cap and just-cause rules. Check your city's article for the specifics.
Three quick checks:
The fastest way to confirm: enter your address. RentCheckMe will tell you whether AB 1482 or a stricter local ordinance applies, and what the current cap is for your area.
Only when the owner is a corporation, LLC, or REIT. Single-family homes and condos owned by individual landlords are exempt under the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act — provided the landlord has given the tenant proper written notice of the exemption (usually a clause in the lease).
AB 1482 was originally scheduled to sunset on January 1, 2030. Multiple bills have been proposed to extend, modify, or make the law permanent. Keep an eye on the California Legislature for current status.
You can refuse to pay the portion above the cap, demand a refund of overpaid rent, and — depending on your city — file a complaint with the local rent board or housing department. The California Attorney General's office also accepts complaints under the Tenant Protection Act.
The rent cap applies between rent increases for a sitting tenant. When a tenant moves out and a new tenant signs a lease, the landlord can reset to market rent. The just-cause protections kick in after the new tenant has lived in the unit for 12 months.
AB 1482 is technically rent stabilization — it caps how much rent can go up, but doesn't freeze it. True "rent control" usually refers to stricter local ordinances (like San Francisco's) that further limit increases and add procedural protections. Many people use "rent control" colloquially for both.
This page is an educational summary, not legal advice. Laws change, and local ordinances vary. For official determinations about your specific unit, consult your local rent board or a qualified housing attorney.