A free toolkit for California renters
Most California renters never check whether the rent hike, the deposit, or the eviction notice they received is actually legal. Three out of five rent increases we hear about aren’t. Type your facts in. Read the law back at your landlord.
“The state has the strongest tenant-protection laws in the country — and the lowest rate of tenants who actually use them.”
— California Attorney General’s tenant-rights advisory, summarized
§ 01 — Three checks
Statewide cap is the lower of 5% + regional CPI or 10% per year. AB 1482 § 1947.12.
Calculate →Since July 2024, deposits cap at 1× rent for most landlords. AB 12 / Civ. Code § 1950.5.
Calculate →After 12 months you’re owed a stated reason — and possibly 1 month relocation if it’s no-fault.
Check →Tool A — AB 1482 § 1947.12
Enter your current rent, the proposed new rent, and where the unit is. We compute the legal annual maximum for your region and tell you if you’re over.
Tool B — AB 12 / Civ. Code § 1950.5
Since July 1, 2024, California caps deposits at one month’s rent. A narrow exception lets very small landlords charge up to two.
Tool C — AB 1482 § 1946.2
If you’ve lived in your unit 12+ months, your landlord owes you a written reason from a fixed list — and, for “no-fault” reasons, one month’s rent in relocation assistance.
§ 02 — Send something in writing
Most California rent disputes resolve at the letter stage. Type your facts, get a polite, dated, citation-backed letter you can email or hand-deliver. Keep a copy.
This is a starter draft, not legal advice. For complex situations — especially eviction lawsuits — talk to a real attorney. We list free options below.
§ 03 — The law, in plain English
Annual rent increases on most pre-2010 multifamily units are capped at the lower of 5% + regional CPI or 10%. Resets August 1 each year. Increases over 10% in 12 months also require a 90-day written notice instead of 30.
For leases signed on or after July 1, 2024, deposits can’t exceed one month’s rent. A narrow exception lets a natural-person landlord (or LLC of natural persons) who owns ≤ 2 rental properties (≤ 4 units total) charge up to two months — but never against an active-duty service member.
After you’ve lived in a covered unit 12 months, the landlord must give a written reason from a fixed list. At-fault reasons (nonpayment, breach, nuisance) require a chance to cure where applicable. No-fault reasons (owner move-in, substantial remodel, withdrawal from market, gov order) entitle you to one month’s rent in relocation assistance, payable within 15 days of the notice.
Plenty. Before the 12-month mark, no just-cause protection. Properties newer than 15 years are exempt from the rent cap. SFHs / condos owned by individuals (with a written exemption notice) sit outside AB 1482. Local rules can be stricter — not weaker. Read your lease before you write the letter.
§ 04 — If you need a real lawyer
Statewide directory of free legal aid by county and issue. Run by the State Bar.
lawhelpca.org →Statewide tenant rights hotline and counseling. Spanish available.
tenantstogether.org →Free legal services for Los Angeles County tenants facing eviction.
stayhousedla.org →Official consumer alerts on security deposits, source-of-income discrimination, and rent caps.
oag.ca.gov/tenants →§ 05 — Sources