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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:
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.
AB 1482 was originally scheduled to sunset (expire) on January 1, 2030. However, the California legislature extended the law, and it is now set to expire on January 1, 2035.
As of 2026, AB 1482 is fully in effect. Here's the timeline:
Whether AB 1482 will be renewed, made permanent, or allowed to expire after 2035 depends on future legislative action. The law's continuation is subject to ongoing debate around housing affordability and landlord rights in California.
What happens when AB 1482 expires? If the law is not renewed and expires on January 1, 2035, landlords in cities without local rent control would no longer be subject to the 5%+CPI rent cap under state law. Cities with their own local rent control ordinances — such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland — would retain their own protections regardless of AB 1482's status.
AB 1482 covers most residential rental properties in California that are more than 15 years old. This includes:
The 15-year rolling threshold means that as of 2026, properties built before 2011 are covered. Each year, the cutoff moves forward.
The following properties are exempt from AB 1482's rent caps and just cause requirements:
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.
Under AB 1482, landlords can only increase rent by the lesser of:
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.
Landlords may only increase rent once per 12-month period for covered properties.
AB 1482 requires landlords to have a valid reason ("just cause") to evict tenants who have:
Landlords can evict for tenant behavior including:
Landlords can also evict for business or personal reasons including:
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.
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:
See our list of California cities with local rent control →
Landlords who violate AB 1482 may face:
Tenants have the right to assert AB 1482 violations as a defense in an unlawful detainer (eviction) proceeding.
Landlords of covered properties must provide several required notices:
For more information about AB 1482 and tenant rights in California:
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.
Want to know if your specific property is covered by AB 1482 or local rent control? Use RentCheckMe's address checker to get an instant evaluation.
AB 1482 is currently set to expire on January 1, 2035. It was originally scheduled to sunset on January 1, 2030, but the California legislature extended it. Whether it will be renewed after 2035 depends on future legislative action.
Yes. AB 1482 is fully in effect in 2026 and applies to all covered residential rental properties across California. The law has been extended through January 1, 2035.
Yes. AB 1482 was originally set to expire January 1, 2030. The California legislature extended it through January 1, 2035. This extension keeps the 5%+CPI rent cap and just cause eviction protections in place for several more years.
If AB 1482 is not renewed before January 1, 2035, landlords in cities without local rent control would no longer face the statewide 5%+CPI rent cap. Cities with their own local ordinances (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, etc.) would retain their local protections regardless of what happens to AB 1482.
For 2026, the AB 1482 cap is 5% plus the applicable local CPI, with a maximum of 10%. Depending on your metropolitan area, typical allowable increases range from about 7.5% to 10%. Only one increase per 12-month period is allowed for covered properties.
Single-family homes are generally exempt from AB 1482's rent caps if the owner is a natural person (not a corporation or REIT) and provided the tenant with written notice of the exemption. If no written exemption notice was provided, the property may still be covered. Just cause eviction protections may apply regardless.
If your city has its own local rent control ordinance with stronger protections than AB 1482, local law takes precedence. If your city's local law is less restrictive in some areas, AB 1482 fills in the gaps. Use the RentCheckMe address checker to see which protections apply to your specific address.
Looking for rent control information specific to your city? We have detailed guides for 123 California cities:
Browse All California City Guides →
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