Brentwood is a growing city in Contra Costa County with no local rent control ordinance. State law under AB 1482 provides eligible tenants with rent increase caps and just-cause eviction protections.·Updated June 2026
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Key Takeaways
Rent control: No local rent control. California AB 1482 (Civ. Code § 1947.12) caps increases at 5% + CPI, max 10%, for qualifying units built before 2005.
Security deposit: Landlords must return deposits within 21 days with an itemized statement. As of July 1, 2024, the cap is 1 month's rent (AB 12; Civ. Code § 1950.5).
Notice to vacate: 30 days' notice for tenancies under 1 year; 60 days' notice for tenancies of 1 year or more (Civ. Code § 1946.1).
Just-cause eviction: Required for covered tenants under AB 1482 after 12 months of tenancy (Civ. Code § 1946.2). SB 567 tightened requirements effective April 1, 2024.
Local resources: Bay Area Legal Aid (Contra Costa), Eviction Defense Center, Pacific Community Services
1. Overview: Tenant Rights in Brentwood
Brentwood is a fast-growing city of approximately 65,000 residents in eastern Contra Costa County, situated in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. Many tenants in Brentwood search for information about rent increases, security deposit rules, eviction protections, and their rights when a landlord fails to make repairs.
Brentwood does not have a local rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. However, tenants may be covered by California's statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482), which limits annual rent increases and requires landlords to have just cause before ending a tenancy for qualifying units. State law also protects against security deposit overcharges, self-help evictions, and uninhabitable conditions.
This article is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently; consult a qualified attorney or local legal aid organization to understand how current law applies to your specific situation.
2. Does Brentwood Have Rent Control?
The City of Brentwood has no local rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. Landlords in Brentwood are not subject to any city-imposed cap on rent increases beyond what California state law requires.
Instead, many Brentwood tenants are covered by California's Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), codified at Civil Code § 1947.12. This statewide law caps annual rent increases at 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI), with a maximum of 10%. For the period August 2025 through July 2026, the applicable CPI for the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward metro area is 1.3%, making the effective cap 6.3% for covered units during this period.
AB 1482 applies to most residential rental units built before January 1, 2005, that are not already subject to a local rent control ordinance. Exemptions include single-family homes and condominiums (with proper notice), owner-occupied duplexes, and certain subsidized housing. Tenants should check whether their specific unit qualifies.
3. California State Tenant Protections That Apply in Brentwood
Even without a local ordinance, Brentwood tenants benefit from several important California state-law protections:
Just-Cause Eviction (AB 1482 / SB 567): Under Civil Code § 1946.2, landlords of covered units may not terminate a tenancy after 12 months without a qualifying just-cause reason. At-fault reasons include nonpayment of rent, lease violations, subletting without permission, and criminal activity. No-fault reasons — such as owner move-in or substantial renovation — require the landlord to provide relocation assistance equal to one month's rent. SB 567, effective April 1, 2024, tightened these requirements, restricting how landlords may use the substantial-remodel ground and requiring proof of intent.
Security Deposits (AB 12): Effective July 1, 2024, Civil Code § 1950.5 (as amended by AB 12) limits security deposits to one month's rent for most landlords. Small landlords who own no more than two residential properties with four or fewer total units may collect up to two months' rent. Deposits must be returned within 21 days after the tenant vacates, along with an itemized written statement of any deductions.
Habitability: Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition under Civil Code §§ 1941.1 and 1942. If a landlord refuses to make necessary repairs, tenants may, under certain conditions, repair and deduct the cost from rent (up to one month's rent, once per 12-month period), or vacate and terminate the lease.
Retaliation Prohibited: Under Civil Code § 1942.5, a landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for exercising any legal right — such as requesting repairs, contacting a code enforcement agency, or organizing with other tenants.
Source-of-Income Discrimination Prohibited: California Government Code § 12955 prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to tenants based on their source of income, including housing vouchers (Section 8).
Notice Requirements: For month-to-month tenancies, landlords must give 30 days' notice to tenants who have lived in the unit less than one year, and 60 days' notice for tenancies of one year or more (Civ. Code § 1946.1).
No Self-Help Evictions: Landlords are strictly prohibited from locking out tenants, removing doors or windows, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant to leave (Civ. Code § 789.3). Such actions entitle the tenant to actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees.
4. Security Deposit Rules in Brentwood
California law governs security deposits for Brentwood rentals. Under Civil Code § 1950.5, as amended by AB 12 (effective July 1, 2024):
Deposit Cap: Most landlords may collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit. Small landlords (owning no more than two residential properties with four or fewer total units combined) may still collect up to two months' rent.
Pet Deposits: Any pet deposit counts toward the overall security deposit limit — landlords cannot charge a separate pet deposit that exceeds the cap.
Return Deadline: Landlords must return the deposit (or the remaining balance) within 21 calendar days after the tenant vacates the unit, along with an itemized written statement explaining any deductions.
Permissible Deductions: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent, cleaning costs beyond ordinary wear and tear, and repair of tenant-caused damage beyond ordinary wear and tear.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord acts in bad faith by wrongfully withholding all or part of the deposit, the tenant may be entitled to twice the amount wrongfully withheld as a penalty, in addition to the actual deposit amount (Civ. Code § 1950.5(l)).
5. Eviction Process and Your Rights in Brentwood
To lawfully evict a tenant in Brentwood, a landlord must follow California's formal eviction process — there are no shortcuts.
Notice Requirements:
3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit: Required before filing for eviction based on nonpayment of rent.
3-Day Notice to Cure or Quit: Required for curable lease violations (e.g., unauthorized pets or guests).
3-Day Unconditional Quit Notice: Used for serious violations such as illegal activity or significant property damage.
30-Day or 60-Day Notice: Required to terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause (where permitted) — 30 days for tenants of less than one year, 60 days for one year or more (Civ. Code § 1946.1).
Just-Cause Requirements (AB 1482 / SB 567): For covered units, after 12 months of tenancy, landlords must state a qualifying just-cause reason in the termination notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2). No-fault terminations (e.g., owner move-in, substantial remodel, demolition) require the landlord to pay one month's rent as relocation assistance. SB 567 (effective April 1, 2024) added documentation requirements and limits on the substantial-remodel ground.
Unlawful Detainer Court Process: If the tenant does not comply with the notice and vacate, the landlord must file an unlawful detainer (UD) lawsuit in Contra Costa County Superior Court. The tenant has five court days to file a written response. If the landlord wins at trial or by default, the court issues a judgment and writ of possession, and only a sheriff can enforce the eviction.
No Self-Help Evictions: Landlords are prohibited from removing tenants by force, changing locks, removing doors or windows, or shutting off utilities (Civ. Code § 789.3). These actions expose the landlord to actual damages, punitive damages of up to $100 per day, and attorney's fees.
6. Resources for Brentwood Tenants
Bay Area Legal Aid – Contra Costa County — Free civil legal services for low-income tenants in Contra Costa County, including eviction defense, habitability, and fair housing. Tenants' Rights Line: (888) 551-0068.
Tenants Together — California statewide tenant rights organization offering education, referrals, and a rent control ordinance database.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant and landlord laws change frequently; the information above may not reflect the most current legal developments. If you have a specific legal problem or question, consult a licensed California attorney or contact a local legal aid organization. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this article.
Check Your Address
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
No. The City of Brentwood does not have a local rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. However, many Brentwood tenants are covered by California's statewide AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019), which limits annual rent increases for qualifying units built before 2005 (Civil Code § 1947.12). Tenants in single-family homes, condos, and newer buildings may not be covered.
How much can my landlord raise my rent in Brentwood?
For units covered by California AB 1482, annual rent increases are capped at 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI), with a maximum of 10% per year (Civil Code § 1947.12). For August 2025 through July 2026, the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward metro CPI is 1.3%, so the effective cap is 6.3% for covered units. Units exempt from AB 1482 — such as single-family homes with proper notice, condos, or units built after January 1, 2005 — have no state-imposed cap.
How long does my landlord have to return my security deposit in Brentwood?
California law requires landlords to return your security deposit (or any remaining balance) within 21 calendar days of you vacating the unit, along with an itemized written statement of any deductions (Civil Code § 1950.5). As of July 1, 2024, AB 12 caps deposits at one month's rent for most landlords. If your landlord wrongfully withholds the deposit in bad faith, you may be entitled to twice the withheld amount as a penalty.
What notice does my landlord need before evicting me in Brentwood?
The required notice depends on the reason for eviction. For nonpayment of rent, landlords must give a 3-day notice to pay or quit. For a month-to-month tenancy termination, landlords must give 30 days' notice if you've lived there less than one year, or 60 days' notice if one year or more (Civil Code § 1946.1). For units covered by AB 1482, the landlord must also state a qualifying just-cause reason in the notice after you've lived there 12 months (Civil Code § 1946.2).
Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in Brentwood?
No. California law strictly prohibits self-help evictions, including changing locks, removing doors or windows, or shutting off electricity, gas, or water to force a tenant to leave (Civil Code § 789.3). If your landlord does any of these things, you are entitled to actual damages, punitive damages of up to $100 per day for each day the violation continues, and attorney's fees. You can also contact local law enforcement or file a complaint with the city.
What can I do if my landlord refuses to make repairs in Brentwood?
California landlords are legally required to maintain rental units in a habitable condition (Civil Code §§ 1941.1, 1942). If your landlord refuses to make necessary repairs after reasonable notice, you may be able to repair and deduct the cost from rent (up to one month's rent, once per 12-month period), or in serious cases, vacate and end the lease without penalty. You can also file a complaint with Brentwood's Code Enforcement division or contact Bay Area Legal Aid for assistance.
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