12/27/2025
The following is a Summary of the Tenant Protection Act which is law in California.
My office is asked frequently these questions In Landlord-Tenant issues.
The information is for education purposes and one should seek legal advise for your legal questions.
Here’s a clear, practical summary of California’s Tenant Protection Act (TPA)—the statewide rent control and just-cause eviction law. This is especially relevant for landlord-tenant work in counties like Calaveras, Amador, and Tuolumne.
Tenant Protection Act of California (AB 1482) — Overview
Effective: January 1, 2020
Status: Permanent statewide law (with annual adjustments)
The Tenant Protection Act does two main things:
Limits rent increases
Requires just cause for evictions
1. Rent Increase Limits (Statewide Rent Cap)
For covered properties, annual rent increases are capped at:
5% + local CPI,
OR 10% total,
whichever is lower
Key points:
Applies to most residential rental units in California
The cap resets each 12-month period
CPI varies by region (Bay Area CPI often applies locally)
What landlords cannot do:
Stack increases to exceed the cap
Avoid the cap by calling increases “fees”
Increase rent beyond the cap even after lease renewal
2. Just Cause Eviction Requirements
After a tenant has lived in a unit for:
12 months (or)
24 months if new adult occupants were added
A landlord must have a legally valid reason to terminate tenancy.
A. At-Fault Just Cause (Tenant Misconduct)
Includes:
Nonpayment of rent
Breach of lease
Nuisance
Waste
Criminal activity
Refusal to sign a similar lease
Failure to vacate after owner move-in notice
👉 No relocation payment required
B. No-Fault Just Cause (Not Tenant’s Fault)
Includes:
Owner or family member move-in
Withdrawal from rental market (Ellis Act)
Substantial remodel
Government order to vacate
Demolition
👉 Relocation assistance IS required
Relocation =
One month’s rent paid directly
OR
One month’s rent waived (must be clearly stated in notice)
3. Covered vs. Exempt Properties
Generally Covered
Apartment buildings
Duplexes (if owner does not live in one unit)
Most multi-family rentals older than 15 years
Common Exemptions
Single-family homes & condos
(unless owned by a corporation, REIT, or LLC with a corporate member)
Units less than 15 years old
Owner-occupied duplexes
Affordable housing units
Dormitories
⚠️ Important:
Exempt properties must give written notice of exemption in the lease or addendum — or they lose the exemption.
4. Notice Requirements
Rent increases: 30 or 90 days, depending on amount
Termination notices must state the just cause
Relocation details must be included when required
5. Local Laws Still Apply
The TPA is a floor, not a ceiling:
Cities/counties may have stricter rent control
Local just-cause ordinances still apply if stronger
6. Penalties for Violations
Landlords who violate the TPA may face:
Wrongful eviction claims
Tenant damages
Attorney’s fees
Injunctions
Civil penalties
Plain-English Takeaway
If a property is covered, a landlord can’t raise rent freely and can’t evict without a legal reason once the tenant is established.
