Rent Control in Westminster

Last updated: January 2026

Protected by California's AB 1482 tenant protections.

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

Key Takeaways

Coverage: Most rental properties built before 2010 are covered by AB 1482.
Rent Increase Cap: 5% + CPI or 10%, whichever is lower (applies after 12 months of tenancy).
Just Cause Protection: Required for tenants with 12+ months of tenancy.

1. Overview of Rent Control in Westminster

In Southern California, Westminster tenants benefit from California's statewide Tenant Protection Act in a competitive rental market. While Westminster does not have its own local rent control ordinance, many rental properties in the city are protected under California's statewide Tenant Protection Act of 2019, commonly known as AB 1482.

AB 1482 provides important tenant protections including:

Rent increase caps – Annual rent increases are generally limited to 5% plus inflation (CPI), or 10%, whichever is lower
Just cause eviction protections – Landlords must have a valid reason to evict tenants who have lived in a unit for 12 months or more
Relocation assistance – In some cases, tenants may be entitled to relocation payments if evicted for certain reasons

This article provides an overview of how AB 1482 applies to rental properties in Westminster. It is based on public resources and is not legal advice. For specific questions about your tenancy, consult with a qualified attorney or tenant counseling organization.

2. Who Is Covered by Rent Control in Westminster?

If you're a tenant in Westminster, your rental property is likely covered by AB 1482 if it was built before approximately 2010 and you've lived there for at least 12 months. This means you benefit from annual rent increase caps and just cause eviction protections.

Property age – Properties built more than 15 years ago (as of the current year) are generally covered. This means properties built before approximately 2010 are covered in 2026.
Property type – Most residential rental units are covered, including apartments, single-family homes, condos, and townhouses when used as rental properties
Tenancy duration – Rent increase caps apply to tenants who have lived in the unit for at least 12 months

Key Exemptions:

Newer construction – Properties built within the last 15 years are exempt from rent increase caps (though they may still have just cause eviction protections)
Single-family homes and condos – These are exempt if the landlord is a natural person (not a corporation) and owns no more than two single-family homes or condos
Owner-occupied properties – Duplexes where the owner occupies one unit are exempt
Affordable housing – Properties already subject to other rent control or affordable housing restrictions may be exempt
Short-term rentals – Properties rented for less than 30 days are exempt

Tools like RentCheckMe can help you determine whether your building is likely covered based on its construction year and property type.

3. Maximum Allowable Rent Increases

In Westminster's rental market, AB 1482 provides stability by limiting annual rent increases to 5% plus inflation, with a 10% maximum cap. This helps protect tenants from sudden, large rent hikes.

How the cap works:

The base cap is 5% per year
This can be increased by the percentage change in CPI (inflation), but the total cannot exceed 10%
The cap applies to tenants who have lived in the unit for at least 12 months
Rent increases can only occur once per 12-month period

Example: If CPI increased by 3% in a given year, the maximum rent increase would be 5% + 3% = 8%. If CPI increased by 7%, the maximum would still be capped at 10% (the overall limit).

Important: These caps apply to the base rent. Landlords cannot circumvent the cap by adding fees or charges that effectively increase rent beyond the limit.

4. Just Cause Eviction Protections

Tenants in Westminster benefit from just cause eviction protections after 12 months of tenancy. While landlords can still evict for valid reasons (non-payment, lease violations, etc.), they cannot evict tenants arbitrarily.

At-fault just cause reasons (tenant is at fault):

Non-payment of rent
Breach of lease terms
Nuisance or illegal activity
Damage to the property
Refusal to allow the landlord reasonable access
Using the property for an unlawful purpose

No-fault just cause reasons (tenant is not at fault):

Owner move-in (landlord or their family member will occupy the unit)
Withdrawal of the property from the rental market
Substantial renovation (requires permits and may require relocation assistance)
Compliance with government orders

Relocation Assistance: For no-fault evictions, landlords may be required to provide relocation assistance equal to one month's rent, or the tenant's actual moving costs, whichever is greater. This applies to tenants who have lived in the unit for at least 12 months.

5. Using RentCheckMe with Official Resources

To determine whether your rental property in Westminster is covered by AB 1482, you can:

Use RentCheckMe's address checker to get an automated assessment based on your building's construction year and property type
Check your lease agreement and rental history to understand your tenancy terms
Review your property's building permits or records to determine the construction year
Contact your local housing authority or tenant counseling organization for guidance

Remember that AB 1482 coverage depends on multiple factors, and automated tools provide estimates, not definitive legal determinations.

6. Resources for Westminster Tenants

City of Westminster – Official city government website
City Housing Department – Local housing programs and resources
Legal Aid Society of Orange County – Free or low-cost legal assistance for tenants
Orange County Bar Association – Free or low-cost legal assistance for tenants
Westminster Housing Authority – Tenant services and housing assistance
Orange County Housing Authority – Tenant services and housing assistance
Community Action Partnership of Orange County – Additional housing and tenant support services
California Department of Consumer Affairs – Statewide tenant rights information
Housing Rights Center – Education and advocacy for tenants throughout California

7. Important Disclaimer

This article is intended as a readable, high‑level overview of how California's Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) applies to rental properties in Westminster. It does not cover every exception or nuance and does not constitute legal advice.

Laws change, and how they apply can depend on the specific facts of your tenancy, including your lease terms, the property type, ownership structure, and other factors. For binding guidance about your rights or obligations, speak with a qualified attorney or tenant counseling organization.

RentCheckMe provides automated estimates based on publicly available data. Always verify information with official sources and consult with legal professionals for advice specific to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Westminster have rent control?

Westminster does not have its own local rent control ordinance. However, many rental properties are protected under California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482), which provides rent increase caps and just cause eviction protections.

How much can my landlord raise rent in Westminster?

Under AB 1482, landlords in Westminster are generally limited to annual rent increases of 5% plus the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), or 10%, whichever is lower. This cap applies to tenants who have lived in the unit for at least 12 months.

Are single-family homes covered by AB 1482 in Westminster?

Single-family homes and condos are generally exempt from AB 1482's rent increase caps if the landlord is a natural person (not a corporation) and owns no more than two such properties. However, they may still have just cause eviction protections.

Other Cities in California

Learn about rent control in other cities in California:

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