Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Apple Valley is a town of approximately 75,000 residents in the Victor Valley area of San Bernardino County, California. Tenants here often ask about rent increases, security deposit rules, and eviction protections — all of which are governed primarily by California state law, since Apple Valley has not enacted any local rent control or tenant protection ordinance.
California's Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) provides significant statewide protections: it limits how much landlords can raise rent each year, requires just cause to end a tenancy after 12 months, and prohibits self-help evictions like lockouts or utility shutoffs. The 2024 security deposit reform (AB 12) further reduced the maximum deposit landlords may collect to one month's rent for most rentals.
This article summarizes the laws that apply to Apple Valley renters as of May 2026. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenants with specific concerns should consult a licensed California attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
The Town of Apple Valley has not enacted a local rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. Tenants in Apple Valley are instead protected by California's statewide rent cap under the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), codified at Civil Code § 1947.12.
Under AB 1482, landlords of covered units may not increase rent by more than 5% plus the regional Consumer Price Index (CPI), with a maximum of 10% in any 12-month period. For rent increases taking effect between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026, the maximum allowable increase for San Bernardino County is 7.5% (5% + 2.5% CPI).
Important exemptions to AB 1482's rent cap include: single-family homes and condominiums not owned by corporations or real estate investment trusts (REITs); units built within the last 15 years; and units where the owner shares the property as their primary residence (e.g., owner-occupied duplexes). Tenants should verify whether their specific unit is covered by requesting information from their landlord.
Even without a local ordinance, Apple Valley tenants benefit from a comprehensive set of California state protections:
Just Cause Eviction (Civ. Code § 1946.2): Under AB 1482 as tightened by SB 567 (effective April 1, 2024), landlords cannot terminate a tenancy without just cause once a tenant has lived in the unit for 12 months (or if any tenant has lived there 24 months). Just cause grounds are categorized as at-fault (e.g., non-payment of rent, lease violations, criminal activity) or no-fault (e.g., owner move-in, substantial remodeling). For no-fault terminations, landlords must pay one month's rent as relocation assistance.
Habitability (Civ. Code §§ 1941.1, 1942): Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition, including working plumbing, heating, electrical systems, and weather protection. If a landlord fails to make repairs within a reasonable time after proper notice, tenants may have the right to repair and deduct the cost from rent (up to one month's rent) or vacate and pursue remedies.
Retaliation Prohibited (Civ. Code § 1942.5): Landlords may not retaliate against tenants who exercise their legal rights, such as reporting habitability issues, contacting code enforcement, or joining a tenant organization. Retaliatory acts include rent increases, service reductions, and eviction notices.
Source-of-Income Discrimination Prohibited (Gov. Code § 12955): Landlords may not refuse to rent to tenants on the basis of their lawful source of income, including housing vouchers such as Section 8.
No Self-Help Eviction (Civ. Code § 789.3): Landlords are prohibited from locking out tenants, removing doors or windows, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant to vacate. Violations entitle tenants to actual damages plus a penalty of up to $100 per day.
California's Assembly Bill 12, which took effect on July 1, 2024, significantly reduced the maximum security deposit a landlord may collect. Under Civil Code § 1950.5 as amended:
Deposit cap: For most rentals, landlords may not require a security deposit exceeding one month's rent, regardless of whether the unit is furnished or unfurnished. A limited exception applies for small individual landlords (natural persons or single-member LLCs) who own no more than two residential properties totaling four or fewer units — those landlords may collect up to two months' rent. This cap covers all deposits, including pet deposits.
Return deadline: After a tenant vacates, the landlord must return the security deposit — along with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 21 calendar days. Deductions are permitted only for unpaid rent, cleaning beyond ordinary wear and tear, and repair of tenant-caused damage.
Penalties for wrongful withholding: If a landlord in bad faith retains all or part of a deposit, the tenant may sue in small claims court and recover up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld as a penalty, in addition to the actual amount retained (Civ. Code § 1950.5(l)).
In Apple Valley, evictions must follow California's formal legal process. Landlords may not use self-help measures such as lockouts or utility shutoffs (Civ. Code § 789.3).
Notice requirements:
Just cause requirement (Civ. Code § 1946.2): Once a tenant has occupied a covered unit for 12 months, the landlord must have a valid at-fault or no-fault just cause reason to terminate the tenancy. No-fault terminations require the landlord to pay one month's rent as relocation assistance or waive the last month's rent.
Court process (Unlawful Detainer): If a tenant does not vacate after a valid notice expires, the landlord must file an Unlawful Detainer lawsuit in San Bernardino Superior Court. The tenant has the right to respond and contest the eviction. If the landlord prevails, the court issues a judgment and a writ of possession, and only a county sheriff may physically remove the tenant.
Self-help eviction prohibition: Changing locks, removing the tenant's belongings, or shutting off utilities is illegal and exposes the landlord to civil liability including up to $100 per day in penalties (Civ. Code § 789.3).
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant and landlord laws change frequently, and the information provided here may not reflect the most current legal developments. Tenants facing eviction, habitability issues, or other housing disputes should consult a licensed California attorney or contact a legal aid organization for advice specific to their situation. RentCheckMe.com makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information presented.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.