California Rent Increase Laws & AB 1482 Rent Cap (2026)

The AB 1482 rent cap (Civ. Code §1947.12)

For covered units, rent cannot increase by more than 5% plus the regional Consumer Price Index (CPI) over any 12-month period — and never more than 10% total, whichever is lower.

The cap is measured on a rolling 12-month basis from the lowest rent charged in the prior 12 months, and you may not raise rent more than twice in any 12-month period. AB 1482 applies once a tenant has lived in the unit for 12 months.

Which units are exempt

Common AB 1482 exemptions include:

• Housing first occupied within the last 15 years (this is a rolling date)
• Single-family homes and condos, if not owned by a corporation or REIT and the proper exemption notice was given
• Most owner-occupied duplexes

Required notice: 30 days vs. 90 days (Civ. Code §827)

If the cumulative rent increase within any 12-month period is 10% or less, you must give at least 30 days’ written notice.

If the cumulative increase within 12 months is more than 10%, you must give at least 90 days’ written notice. An increase of exactly 10% falls under the 30-day rule.

Does this apply to your property?

Answer these before calculating any increase:

• Is the unit exempt from AB 1482 (first occupied in the last 15 years, or a single-family home/condo not owned by a corporation/REIT with the proper exemption notice given, or a qualifying owner-occupied duplex)? — If yes, the AB 1482 cap does not apply, but §827 notice periods still do for most tenancies.
• Has the current tenant lived in the unit 12 months or more? — AB 1482 only applies once that threshold is met.
• What is your cumulative rent increase over the trailing 12 months, and is it 10% or less, or more than 10%? — This determines whether 30 or 90 days’ notice is required.
• Have you already raised the rent twice in the last 12 months? — AB 1482 caps you at two increases in any 12-month period.

Example — sample property

An AB 1482-covered unit rents for $2,000/month. The regional CPI is 4%. The AB 1482 cap is 5% + CPI = 9%, which is under the 10% statutory ceiling, so 9% is the maximum allowed increase: up to $2,180/month.

Because the cumulative increase (9%) is 10% or less, the landlord only needs to give 30 days’ written notice under §827, not 90.

How Veluna monitors this

After you add a property, Veluna tracks whether the AB 1482 cap or the §827 notice rule changes for your property type and sends a push alert if it does. We do not calculate your exact allowed increase or notice date for you — verify your property’s rolling 12-month rent history and cite the current statute before sending a notice.

Frequently asked questions

How much can a landlord raise rent in California in 2026?

For AB 1482-covered units, no more than 5% + regional CPI, capped at 10% total over any 12-month period (Civ. Code §1947.12), and no more than twice in 12 months.

How much notice is required to raise rent in California?

30 days if the cumulative 12-month increase is 10% or less; 90 days if it exceeds 10% (Civ. Code §827). Exactly 10% uses the 30-day notice.

Does AB 1482 apply to single-family homes?

Usually not — single-family homes and condos are exempt if not owned by a corporation or REIT and the tenant received the required exemption notice.