California Tenant Rights
Tenant Rights in Beaumont, California
Beaumont, California renters do not have a city rent control ordinance, but they are protected by California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482), which caps annual rent increases and requires just cause for most evictions after 12 months.
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Updated May 2026
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Key Takeaways
- California's AB 1482 caps annual rent increases at 5% plus regional CPI, up to a maximum of 10% per year, for most units more than 15 years old (Civ. Code § 1947.12).
- Under AB 12 (effective July 1, 2024), security deposits are capped at one month's rent for most landlords, and must be returned with an itemized statement within 21 days of move-out (Civ. Code § 1950.5).
- Landlords must give 30 days' written notice for tenancies under one year and 60 days' written notice for tenancies of one year or more (Civ. Code § 1946.1).
- Yes. AB 1482 and SB 567 require landlords to state a valid 'just cause' reason in writing to terminate any tenancy after 12 months of continuous occupancy.
- Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS), Tenants Together, and the California Department of Real Estate / Civil Rights Department.
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1. Overview: Tenant Rights in Beaumont
Beaumont is a fast-growing city of roughly 58,000 residents in the Pass area of Riverside County, sitting between the Inland Empire and the Coachella Valley along Interstate 10. Like the rest of Riverside County, Beaumont has no city-level rent control ordinance, so renters rely on California's statewide tenant protections rather than a local rent board.
That still gives Beaumont tenants meaningful rights. The Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482) limits how much rent can go up each year, requires landlords to state a 'just cause' reason for most evictions after 12 months, and was strengthened by SB 567 in 2024. Separate state laws govern security deposits, repairs, retaliation, and lockouts.
This guide summarizes the rules most relevant to Beaumont renters in 2026. It is informational only and is not legal advice; if you are facing an eviction, deposit dispute, or habitability problem, talk to a licensed California attorney or to Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS) before taking action.
2. Does Beaumont Have Rent Control?
Beaumont does not have a local rent control ordinance, but California is not a 'no rent control' state. The Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), codified at Civil Code § 1947.12, sets a statewide cap on rent increases for covered units.
For tenancies covered by AB 1482, a landlord may not raise the rent in any 12-month period by more than 5% plus the regional Consumer Price Index (CPI), and never by more than 10% total, whichever is lower. The CPI used for Beaumont comes from the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metro area. Rent may only be increased twice within any 12-month period.
Common exemptions from the rent cap include: housing built within the last 15 years (rolling), single-family homes and condos owned by an individual or family LLC (not a corporation or REIT) when the tenant has received the proper written notice of exemption, deed-restricted affordable housing, dorms, and units already covered by a stricter local rent control ordinance. Section 8 voucher tenants are still protected by federal program rules, but the AB 1482 cap may not apply to the contract rent in the same way.
3. California State Tenant Protections That Apply in Beaumont
California layers several statewide protections on top of any lease. The most important for Beaumont renters are:
- AB 1482 rent cap (Civ. Code § 1947.12) — 5% + regional CPI per year, max 10%, for most units older than 15 years.
- AB 1482 just cause (Civ. Code § 1946.2) — after 12 months of continuous occupancy (or 24 months if any adult tenant moved in later), the landlord must state a valid at-fault or no-fault reason in writing to end the tenancy.
- SB 567 (effective April 1, 2024) — tightens AB 1482 no-fault evictions: owner move-in requires the owner or close family to actually occupy the unit for at least 12 continuous months and move in within 90 days, and substantial remodel evictions require detailed notice with permits.
- AB 12 security deposit cap (Civ. Code § 1950.5) — one month's rent maximum for most landlords, effective July 1, 2024.
- Habitability and repairs (Civ. Code § 1941.1 and § 1942) — landlords must keep units habitable; tenants may use the limited 'repair and deduct' remedy (up to one month's rent) after written notice and a reasonable time to fix.
- Anti-retaliation (Civ. Code § 1942.5) — landlords cannot raise rent, evict, or cut services because a tenant requested repairs, contacted code enforcement, or organized with other tenants, generally for 180 days.
- Source-of-income protection (Gov. Code § 12955) — it is illegal in California to refuse to rent to a tenant because they pay with a Section 8 voucher or other lawful housing subsidy.
- No self-help eviction (Civ. Code § 789.3) — landlords may not lock out tenants, remove doors, or shut off utilities to force a move-out; doing so triggers statutory damages.
4. Security Deposit Rules in Beaumont
Security deposits in Beaumont are governed by California Civil Code § 1950.5 and were updated by AB 12, which took effect July 1, 2024.
Maximum deposit: Most landlords may charge no more than one month's rent as a security deposit, regardless of whether the unit is furnished or unfurnished, and including any pet or 'last month' deposit. A narrow exception lets a small landlord (a natural person, family LLC, or family trust) who owns no more than two residential properties with no more than four total units charge up to two months' rent — but that exception does not apply when the tenant is a service member.
Return deadline: The landlord must return the deposit, along with an itemized written statement of any deductions, within 21 calendar days after the tenant moves out. Lawful deductions are limited to unpaid rent, cleaning to return the unit to its move-in condition, repair of damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, and (if the lease allows) restoration of personal property listed on the lease. Receipts or invoices must be attached for any deduction over $125 unless the tenant agrees otherwise.
Pre-move-out inspection: The tenant has the right to a walk-through inspection within the last two weeks of tenancy so the landlord can identify problems the tenant can fix before move-out.
If a landlord retains the deposit in bad faith, the tenant can recover the wrongfully withheld amount plus statutory damages of up to twice the deposit on top of the actual deposit, in addition to any actual damages (Civ. Code § 1950.5(l)).
5. Eviction Process and Your Rights in Beaumont
California's eviction process is set by Civil Code §§ 1946–1946.2 and the Code of Civil Procedure (unlawful detainer rules). Landlords in Beaumont must follow it — self-help evictions are illegal.
Notice required before filing in court:
- 3-day notice to pay rent or quit for nonpayment of rent (Code Civ. Proc. § 1161). Weekends and holidays are excluded from the count.
- 3-day notice to cure or quit for fixable lease violations.
- 3-day notice to quit for serious 'incurable' breaches such as documented criminal activity or serious nuisance.
- 30-day notice to end a month-to-month tenancy under one year (Civ. Code § 1946.1) — only allowed if the tenancy is exempt from AB 1482 just cause.
- 60-day notice to end a month-to-month tenancy after one year or longer (Civ. Code § 1946.1).
Just cause: For tenancies covered by AB 1482, after 12 months of continuous occupancy the landlord must state a valid at-fault reason (such as nonpayment, lease violation, nuisance, or criminal activity) or a valid no-fault reason (owner move-in, withdrawal from the rental market, government order, or substantial remodel under SB 567). For at-fault terminations, the tenant must first be given a chance to cure a curable violation (Civ. Code § 1946.2).
Relocation assistance: For no-fault just-cause evictions, the landlord must pay the tenant the equivalent of one month's rent in relocation assistance, either as a direct payment within 15 calendar days of the notice or as a rent waiver for the final month.
Court process: Only after the notice period expires can the landlord file an unlawful detainer lawsuit. The tenant generally has 10 court days (excluding weekends and holidays) to respond after being served. A sheriff — never the landlord — carries out any lockout after a writ of possession issues. Locking a tenant out, removing doors or windows, or shutting off utilities to force a move-out is illegal under Civ. Code § 789.3 and exposes the landlord to statutory damages.
6. Resources for Beaumont Tenants
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Tenant law in California changes regularly, and the application of statutes such as AB 1482, AB 12, and SB 567 depends on the specific facts of your tenancy. Before signing, paying, withholding rent, or responding to an eviction notice, verify the current law and your options with a licensed California attorney or with Inland Counties Legal Services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Beaumont have rent control?
Beaumont does not have its own city rent control ordinance, and Riverside County has not adopted countywide rent control. Beaumont renters are instead covered by California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482), codified at Civ. Code § 1947.12, which caps annual rent increases on most units older than 15 years.
How much can my landlord raise my rent in Beaumont?
For units covered by AB 1482, your landlord may raise the rent by no more than 5% plus the regional CPI for the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metro area, with a hard ceiling of 10% in any 12-month period. Single-family homes owned by an individual (with proper notice of exemption) and units built within the last 15 years are generally exempt from the cap.
How long does my landlord have to return my security deposit in Beaumont?
California Civil Code § 1950.5 gives your landlord 21 calendar days after you move out to either return your deposit in full or send an itemized statement explaining any deductions, with receipts attached for items over $125. If the landlord acts in bad faith, you may recover up to twice the deposit in statutory damages on top of the deposit itself.
What notice does my landlord need before evicting me in Beaumont?
For nonpayment of rent or a curable lease violation, the landlord must serve a 3-day notice to pay or cure (Code Civ. Proc. § 1161). To end a month-to-month tenancy without cause where allowed, the notice is 30 days if you have lived there less than one year and 60 days if you have lived there one year or longer (Civ. Code § 1946.1). After 12 months, AB 1482 also requires the landlord to state a valid 'just cause' reason in the notice.
Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in Beaumont?
No. California Civil Code § 789.3 prohibits a landlord from shutting off your utilities, changing the locks, removing doors or windows, or otherwise trying to force you out without a court order. Only a sheriff acting on a writ of possession after an unlawful detainer judgment can legally remove a tenant, and a landlord who violates § 789.3 owes you actual damages plus $100 per day (minimum $250) plus attorney's fees.
What can I do if my landlord refuses to make repairs in Beaumont?
Under Civ. Code §§ 1941.1 and 1942, your landlord must keep the unit habitable. Give written notice describing the problem and a reasonable time to repair; if the landlord still does not act, you may use the limited 'repair and deduct' remedy up to one month's rent, contact Beaumont code enforcement, or sue. Civ. Code § 1942.5 also protects you from retaliation (rent hikes, eviction, or service cutoffs) for 180 days after you assert your repair rights.
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