California Rent Increase Notice Calculator

California rent increase rules at a glance

California has two layered rules. First, Cal. Civ. Code § 827 sets the notice period: at least 30 days written notice for rent increases of 10 percent or less, and at least 90 days notice for increases above 10 percent. Second, AB 1482 (Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12) caps the annual increase at the lower of 5 percent plus local CPI or 10 percent, for properties subject to the law.

Who AB 1482 applies to

AB 1482 applies broadly to multifamily housing in California, with several important exemptions. Excluded: housing built within the last 15 years (rolling); single-family homes and condominiums owned by individuals (not corporations or LLCs with corporate members) where notice of exemption is properly given; duplexes where the owner lives in one unit; subsidized affordable housing. If the property is not exempt, the AB 1482 cap applies on top of any local rent-control ordinance.

How the 30/90 day notice rule works

Under § 827, the default is 30 days written notice for a month-to-month rent increase. If the cumulative annual increase exceeds 10 percent, the notice period extends to 90 days. Notice can be served personally, by first-class mail (with a 5-day extension for mailing time), or per the lease's specified method.

Local rent-control ordinances

San Francisco, Los Angeles, Berkeley, Oakland, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, and several other California cities have stricter local rent-control ordinances. These typically cap annual increases at lower percentages (often 60 percent of local CPI) and require additional registration, notice, or just-cause for eviction. AB 1482 sets a statewide floor; local ordinances can be stricter, not looser. If you are also managing California security deposit return deadlines, local ordinances may add requirements there as well.

Worked example: raising rent in California

Current rent is $1,800/month on a month-to-month lease. You want to raise it to $2,000, an increase of $200 (11.1%).

Because the increase exceeds 10 percent, California requires 90 days' notice under Cal. Civ. Code § 827. You plan the increase to take effect August 1. Working backward, you need to deliver written notice by May 3.

If you send notice on May 1, the earliest the increase can take effect is July 30.

For a property subject to AB 1482, this 11.1% increase would exceed the statewide cap of 10% (or 5% + CPI if lower). You would need to reduce the increase to comply. On a fixed-term lease, you generally cannot raise rent until the lease expires, so the notice period applies only once the tenancy converts to month-to-month.

What experienced landlords do differently

• Send notice 2-3 weeks before the legal minimum. Tenants need time to budget for the increase or give their own move-out notice, and extra lead time reduces the chance of vacancy.
• Include a brief rationale with the notice: "Property taxes increased 8% and insurance premiums rose 12%." You're not legally required to explain, but tenants who understand the reason are more likely to stay.
• If you're raising rent significantly, consider offering a longer lease (12+ months) at a slightly lower increase. Stability often beats the extra $50/month.

Related California compliance tools

Landlords in California deal with more than just rent increases. These free calculators cover the other compliance deadlines you need to track:

• California Eviction Timeline Estimator — Estimate the full eviction process from notice to possession
• California Maximum Late Fee Calculator — Calculate the highest late fee your lease can enforce
• California Security Deposit Return Deadline — Know exactly when the deposit must be returned or itemized
• California Security Deposit Interest Calculator — Calculate the interest you owe on held deposits

See all property management tools for investment, financing, and operations calculators.

Frequently asked questions about California rent increases

Can a tenant refuse a rent increase?

On a month-to-month lease, the tenant cannot block a properly noticed increase, but they can choose to move out instead. On a fixed-term lease, you generally cannot raise rent until the lease expires unless the lease itself includes an escalation clause. If the property is subject to rent control, increases above the allowed percentage may be refused.

How much can a landlord raise rent in California?

For properties subject to AB 1482, the maximum annual increase is the lower of 5 percent plus local CPI or 10 percent. Local rent-control ordinances in cities like LA and SF can cap increases lower. Properties exempt from AB 1482 face no statewide cap but must follow the 30/90-day notice rules.

Is my property exempt from AB 1482?

Common exemptions: housing built within the last 15 years, single-family homes/condos owned by individuals (not corporations or corporate LLCs) where exemption notice is properly given, duplexes where the owner lives in one unit, and certain affordable housing programs. Properly noticing the exemption in the lease is required.

Can a California landlord raise rent during a fixed-term lease?

Generally no. A 12-month or longer fixed-term lease locks in the rent for the term. Rent increases apply at renewal or on month-to-month tenancies after the fixed term ends. Local ordinances may add restrictions.

How is the AB 1482 cap calculated?

5 percent plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the region (San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles-Long Beach, Riverside-San Bernardino, San Diego, or "All Urban Consumers" for areas without a metropolitan CPI), with a hard ceiling of 10 percent regardless of CPI. The 12-month measurement period runs April 1 of the prior year to April 1 of the current year.