A statewide cap for many units
Civil Code § 1947.12 caps increases at 5% plus the change in the cost of living, and never more than 10% in 12 months. Some housing is exempt.
Rent increases and just cause · California
Rent going up, or asked to leave?
Check what the law allows.
For many California rentals, the Tenant Protection Act caps yearly rent increases and requires a just cause to end a tenancy. Local rent control may protect you even more. An independent California attorney checks which rules apply to your home.
A free, no-obligation first call. Fee terms explained in writing before any work starts.
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The essentials
What matters for rent increases and terminations?
Written notice
Your landlord must give written notice at least 30 days before an increase, and at least 90 days if it is more than 10%.
Just cause after 12 months
For covered units, Civil Code § 1946.2 generally allows a landlord to end a tenancy only for an at-fault or no-fault just cause, stated in the notice.
Relocation assistance
For a no-fault just cause, such as the owner moving in, the landlord must generally pay relocation assistance equal to one month's rent or waive the final month's rent.
Easy to start
No big leap.
Just a first step.
You tell us what is going on. We find the right attorney for it.
- 01
A few words about your situation.
Choose your topic and leave your contact details. You don’t need a complete file to get started.
- 02
A free first call.
Our intake team gets in touch, clarifies what you need and connects you with an independent attorney licensed in California.
- 03
Clear fee terms before any work.
The attorney reviews your case and explains the scope and the fee arrangement in writing. You decide whether to go ahead.
For later, not for now
What you can have
ready for the call.
You don’t need to upload anything in the form. These documents can help later:
- Your lease and every rent increase notice
- The year the building was built, if you know it
- Any termination notice and the reason given
Your city or county may have stricter rent control or eviction rules. An enquiry does not stop any deadline.
You may still be wondering …
Before we
talk.
Does the rent cap apply to a single-family home?
Not always. A house or condo owned by an individual may be exempt if the lease gave you the required written notice of the exemption. Homes owned by corporations or REITs are generally covered.
Is my building too new for the cap?
Housing that received its certificate of occupancy within the last 15 years is exempt, on a rolling basis. Local rent control usually has its own cutoff dates.
What does the first call cost?
The first call is free and without obligation. If you want an attorney to take on your matter, the attorney explains the scope and fee arrangement in writing before any work starts.
What happens after I send my request?
Our intake team reviews your request and gets in touch to clarify it and arrange the call. Sending the form does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not book an appointment.
The first step is free
So you can get back to simply living at home.
Time for your situation.
Clear, personal and without obligation.