The following webpage and resources have been developed by staff with years of experience in tenants' rights, but they DO NOT substitute for legal advice.
Download your own copy of "Know Your Rights - Rent Increases" HERE and share with anyone you know who might need support!
Rent Increase Notice Requirements (covers all tenants in private residences)
Although not all tenants are covered by the 3 types of protections below, any rent increase in California must follow certain procedures in order to be considered valid.
All rent increase notices must...
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be served on paper and in WRITING for it to be valid
- If not, fill out this Sample Letter of Improper Notice of Rent Increase and turn it in to your landlord.
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be served in person by the landlord OR posted AND mailed to tenants
- If not, fill out this Sample Letter of Improper Notice of Rent Increase and provide it directly to your landlord.
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be served with the proper amount of time
- 30-day notice for a rent increase of below 10%
- 90-day notice for a rent increase of above 10%
- If not, fill out this Sample Letter of Improper Notice of Rent Increase and provide it directly to your landlord.
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NOT be served during a fixed-term lease
- For example, if you have a one-year lease ending 12/2021, your rent cannot be increased in 10/2021, because you are within the period of a “fixed-term lease” until 12/2021).
- NOTE: Government subsidized housing (Section 8, HUD, Low-Income Tax Credits), and other affordable housing have other special laws and protections that regulate the frequency and amount of rent increases.
10% Rent Increase Limit During a State of Emergency (such as COVID-19)
- California generally prohibits rent increases above 10% in any county with a state of emergency.
5% + CPI Statewide Rent Cap
- Certain tenants have protections against rent increases that are above 5% + CPI (Consumer Price Index), depending on their housing situation and length of time in their housing.
- To find out if you are protected, ask yourself these questions!
- If you ARE covered by statewide rent cap, the amount that your rent can be increased is very LIMITED! Search using your zip code and find exactly how much your rent can be increased here.
- If you are NOT covered by the statewide rent cap, you may be covered by local rent control depending on where you live... read more below!
Local Rent Control
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In 23 cities in California, tenant organizers have fought to pass rent control, which establishes a reasonable maximum amount that a landlord can increase rent, with enforcement and consequences for landlords who don't comply.
- To find out if you are covered by these local protections, please search for your city here. If you have more questions, contact legal aid or a local tenants’ rights group by searching by your county in our Local Resource Directory.
Sample Letters to Assert Your Rights
- Click here to find letters based on your housing situation to facilitate communication with your landlord!
Fighting to Stay - We are Stronger Together!
Throughout California, we've seen people band together with their neighbors to collectively fight their evictions. Time and time again, we see that this is the most effective way to build long-term stability and staying power. To learn more about how to talk to your neighbors, and organize to stay in your community, check out our page on forming a tenants union here!