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AB 1482 Rent Cap Calculator

Calculate the maximum allowable rent increase for your California rental property under the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482).

Uses April 2025 CPI data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For informational purposes only.

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Select your region and enter your current rent to get started.

How AB 1482 Rent Caps Work

California’s Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482) limits annual rent increases for most residential properties statewide. The law caps rent increases at 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI), with an absolute ceiling of 10% per year — whichever is lower.

The CPI used is the percentage change for the metropolitan area where the property is located, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the April prior to the effective date of the rent increase. If the property is not within a designated metro area, the California statewide CPI-W applies.

AB 1482 also requires just cause for evictions of tenants who have occupied the unit for 12 months or more. Landlords must provide written notice of the applicable rent cap percentage to tenants annually.

The law was originally set to sunset on January 1, 2030, but AB 1157 (2024) extended it through January 1, 2035.

Read our full California Landlord Compliance Checklist →

Properties Exempt from AB 1482

Not all rental properties are subject to the rent cap. The following are exempt from AB 1482:

Single-family homes and condos — if the owner is not a corporation, REIT, or LLC with a corporate member, and provides proper written notice of exemption (Civil Code §1946.2(e))
Housing built within the last 15 years — based on the certificate of occupancy date (rolling window, updated annually)
Owner-occupied duplexes — where the owner lives in one of the two units
Affordable housing — units with deed restrictions or regulatory agreements limiting rent
Dormitories — housing associated with educational institutions
Properties already subject to local rent control — that is more restrictive than AB 1482
Single-family homes not owned by a corporate entity — where the tenant received written notice of exemption per the required statutory language

Even exempt properties must comply with local ordinances, which may impose stricter caps. Always verify your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my rent increase exceeds the AB 1482 cap?

If a landlord imposes a rent increase above the allowable cap, the tenant can dispute it. The tenant may file a complaint with the local housing authority, withhold the excess amount, or pursue legal action. The landlord could be required to refund the excess rent collected, and may face additional penalties. It is critical to calculate and document the correct maximum increase before issuing any rent increase notice.

How much notice do I need to give for a rent increase?

Under California Civil Code §827, landlords must provide 30 days’ written notice for rent increases of 10% or less within a 12-month period. For increases greater than 10% (on exempt properties), 90 days’ written notice is required. Since AB 1482 caps increases at 10%, the 30-day notice period typically applies for covered properties.

Does AB 1482 apply to vacant units or new tenancies?

AB 1482 does not restrict the initial rent a landlord can charge a new tenant. Vacancy decontrol applies — when a tenant voluntarily vacates, the landlord may set any new rent amount for the next tenancy. The cap only applies to increases during an existing tenancy. However, some local rent ordinances (such as those in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Oakland) may impose vacancy control or limit initial rents — always check local rules.

When does the current CPI rate change?

The CPI rate used for AB 1482 is based on the April-to-April percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for the applicable region. The BLS typically publishes April CPI data in May. The new rate takes effect for rent increases with effective dates on or after August 1 of each year (the next adjustment cycle). This calculator uses the most recently published April CPI data.