Why This Matters
California’s rent control laws can be confusing — even for experienced landlords. Between statewide rent caps (AB 1482) and local ordinances in cities like Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood, it’s not always clear what applies. Misunderstanding these rules can lead to lost income, denied rent increases, or even legal penalties.
At Leasing Alert, we help owners understand which rules apply to their property and how to legally maximize rent.
Step 1: Check If You’re Covered Under State Rent Control (AB 1482)
The Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) is California’s statewide rent control law, effective since 2020. It limits most annual rent increases and requires “just cause” for eviction.
Here’s the quick breakdown:
- Applies to most multifamily properties built before 2005.
- Single-family homes and condos are usually exempt if they’re not owned by a corporation, REIT, or LLC with a corporate member.
- New construction (within the past 15 years) is exempt from the rent cap until the property reaches that age.
- The current state cap (for 2025) limits increases to 5% plus CPI, with a maximum of 10% total.
If a property falls under AB 1482, landlords must provide the correct disclosure language in the lease, or it’s considered automatically covered.
Step 2: Know If Local Rent Control Overrides the State Law
Some cities in LA County have their own rent control ordinances that are stricter than the state law. These local rules always take priority.
Here are some key examples:
- City of Los Angeles (RSO): Applies to properties built before October 1, 1978. Rent increases are limited each year (currently around 4%), and eviction rules are extremely strict.
- Santa Monica & West Hollywood: Some of the toughest rent control laws in California, covering most multifamily units built before the late 1970s.
- Unincorporated LA County: Covered by the LA County Rent Stabilization Ordinance, which applies to most properties built before February 1, 1995 and caps increases to 3% annually (as of 2025).
If a property is in one of these areas, the landlord must comply with local registration, allowable increase notices, and “just cause” eviction rules — even if they’re already following AB 1482.
Step 3: What Rent Control Really Means for Landlords
Being under rent control doesn’t mean a property can’t be profitable — it just means management has to be more strategic.
Here’s how we help owners navigate it:
- Annual Rent Reviews: Even under rent control, we make sure owners take full advantage of allowable increases every year. Many owners skip them and fall behind market rent — sometimes by thousands.
- Lease Structuring: We ensure leases include the proper legal notices and exemptions to protect owners.
- Tenant Transitions: When tenants move out, rent can often be reset to market value — we handle that process correctly to avoid violations.
- Compliance Tracking: We monitor all local and state updates to ensure landlords stay compliant year-round.
Rent control isn’t something to fear — it just requires understanding and precision. Many landlords end up leaving money on the table simply because they don’t know what they can legally do.
Why Partner With Leasing Alert?
With nearly 200 units under management, we deal with every version of rent control across Los Angeles County — from the city’s strict RSO rules to AB 1482 and the unincorporated County ordinance. Our systems make sure your clients stay compliant while still maximizing their returns.
And as always, our 25% Referral Fee Program rewards you with 25% of the first year’s gross management fees on every client you refer. Your clients get white-glove management, and you keep their trust for future sales.
Coming Up Next Week…
“The Benefits of Allowing Pets: How Pet-Friendly Rentals Can Attract Better Tenants and Higher Rents.”
We’ll break down California’s proposed “Pet-Friendly Housing” bill and what it could mean for landlords.
If you have a client unsure about whether their property is rent controlled or how to manage rent increases legally, give me a call at 661.993.1233 or send me an email.
