California AB 1482: The Tenant Protection Act

Last updated: January 2026

A comprehensive guide to California's statewide rent control and just cause eviction law, including coverage, exemptions, and how it works with local ordinances.

Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.

1. Overview of AB 1482

The Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482) is California's statewide rent control law, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 8, 2019. It provides two key protections for tenants across California:

• Rent increase caps limiting how much landlords can raise rent each year
• Just cause eviction protections requiring landlords to have a valid reason to terminate a tenancy

AB 1482 was originally set to expire on January 1, 2030, but AB 1482 was extended through January 1, 2035 by subsequent legislation. The law applies to most rental properties built more than 15 years ago, with several important exemptions.

2. Which Properties Are Covered?

AB 1482 covers most residential rental properties in California that are more than 15 years old. This includes:

• Apartments and apartment buildings
• Condominiums and townhouses (when rented out)
• Single-family homes (with conditions—see exemptions)
• Duplexes, triplexes, and other multi-unit properties
• Mobile homes and manufactured housing

The 15-year rolling threshold means that as of 2026, properties built before 2011 are covered. Each year, the cutoff moves forward.

Key Exemptions

The following properties are exempt from AB 1482's rent caps and just cause requirements:

• New construction: Properties with a certificate of occupancy issued within the last 15 years
• Single-family homes and condos: When owned by a natural person (not a corporation or REIT) AND the owner provides written notice of exemption
• Owner-occupied duplexes: Where the owner lives in one unit
• Affordable housing: Properties with deed restrictions for affordable housing
• Dormitories: Student housing owned by educational institutions
• Properties already under local rent control: If your city has its own rent control ordinance that's more restrictive, that local law applies instead

Important: For single-family homes and condos to be exempt, the landlord must provide written notice to the tenant that the property is exempt. This notice must be provided in the lease or as a separate document.

3. Rent Increase Caps

Under AB 1482, landlords can only increase rent by the lesser of:

• 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI), OR
• 10% total

The CPI used is the percentage change in the cost of living for the metropolitan area where the property is located, as published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For 2026, typical allowable increases range from 7.5% to 10% depending on local CPI.

Notice Requirements

• 30 days notice required for rent increases of 10% or less (within a 12-month period)
• 90 days notice required for rent increases greater than 10% (within a 12-month period)

Landlords may only increase rent once per 12-month period for covered properties.

4. Just Cause Eviction Protections

AB 1482 requires landlords to have a valid reason ("just cause") to evict tenants who have:

• Lived in the unit for 12 months or more, OR
• Been a party to a lease for 24 months or more (whichever is shorter)

"At-Fault" Just Cause (Tenant's Actions)

Landlords can evict for tenant behavior including:

• Failure to pay rent
• Breach of a material lease term
• Nuisance or waste
• Criminal activity on the property
• Failure to sign a new lease with substantially identical terms
• Subletting without permission
• Refusing access for repairs

"No-Fault" Just Cause (Landlord's Reasons)

Landlords can also evict for business or personal reasons including:

• Owner move-in: Owner or immediate family member wants to occupy the unit
• Withdrawal from rental market: Removing the unit from the rental market (Ellis Act)
• Demolition or substantial remodel: That requires the unit to be vacated
• Government order: Required to vacate due to code violations

Relocation assistance: For "no-fault" evictions, landlords must provide one month's rent as relocation assistance, either as a direct payment or as a rent waiver for the final month.

5. How AB 1482 Works with Local Rent Control

California has 33+ cities with their own local rent control ordinances that existed before or were passed after AB 1482. The relationship between state and local law is important:

• Local rent control takes precedence if it provides stronger protections than AB 1482
• If local law is less protective in some areas, AB 1482 fills the gaps
• Some cities have rent caps lower than AB 1482's 5%+CPI formula (e.g., San Francisco, Berkeley, Santa Monica)
• Some cities cover properties that would be exempt under AB 1482 (e.g., newer buildings)

See our list of California cities with local rent control →

6. Penalties for Violations

Landlords who violate AB 1482 may face:

• Rent increases above the cap: Tenant can recover the excess rent paid, plus potential damages
• Wrongful eviction: Tenant may be entitled to actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees
• Failure to provide required notices: May invalidate the rent increase or eviction

Tenants have the right to assert AB 1482 violations as a defense in an unlawful detainer (eviction) proceeding.

7. Required Notices and Documentation

Landlords of covered properties must provide several required notices:

• Notice of AB 1482 exemption: If claiming the single-family home/condo exemption, written notice must be provided
• Notice of rent increase: Must state the new rent amount and effective date, with proper advance notice
• Notice to terminate tenancy: Must state the specific just cause reason and relevant facts
• Relocation assistance: For no-fault evictions, notice must include information about relocation payment

8. Resources and Additional Information

For more information about AB 1482 and tenant rights in California:

• California Attorney General – Landlord/Tenant Issues
• CA Attorney General's Guide to Local Rent Laws (PDF)
• AB 1482 Full Text (California Legislature)
• California Department of Consumer Affairs
• Housing Rights Center

Important: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations can change, and individual circumstances may vary. For specific legal questions about your rental situation, consult with a qualified attorney.