What Is AB 1482?
AB 1482, the Tenant Protection Act of 2019, is California’s statewide rent control law. For covered rental units, it: (1) caps annual rent increases at 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI), with a maximum of 10%; and (2) requires “just cause” for eviction after 12 months of tenancy. These protections are a floor — local ordinances in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley provide stronger protections.
The Annual Rent Cap
The allowable annual rent increase under AB 1482 is calculated as: 5% + local CPI, not to exceed 10%. The CPI varies by region — in high-inflation years this has approached the 10% cap, while in low-inflation years it has been closer to 6-7%. Landlords may only raise rent once every 12 months.
Units That ARE Covered
AB 1482 generally covers:
- Multi-family buildings (apartments, condos rented to others) built more than 15 years ago
- Most rental properties where the owner does not also live in the building
- Duplexes where the owner does not occupy either unit
Units That Are NOT Covered (Exemptions)
The following are exempt from AB 1482’s rent cap:
- Buildings built within the last 15 years (a rolling exemption — the cutoff moves forward each year)
- Single-family homes and condos where the owner has provided a specific written Costa-Hawkins notice
- Owner-occupied duplexes where the owner lives in one unit
- Government-subsidized housing already subject to its own rent rules
- Dormitories and student housing owned by educational institutions
- Mobile homes in certain circumstances
- Units in cities with stricter local rent control — those local ordinances take precedence
The Just Cause Eviction Requirement
For tenants who have lived in a covered unit for at least 12 months, AB 1482 requires landlords to have a valid “just cause” to evict. At-fault causes include nonpayment of rent and lease violations. No-fault causes include owner move-in and substantial renovation — but require relocation assistance equal to one month’s rent.
How to Check If Your Unit Is Covered
- Visit tenantprotections.org — free coverage checker tool
- Look up your building’s construction date (often visible on the city permit or county assessor database)
- Check if your city has its own rent control ordinance that supersedes AB 1482
- Check whether you received a Costa-Hawkins exemption notice with your lease