If you own or manage a rental in California, AB 1482 (the Tenant Protection Act of 2019) sets two rules you have to work within: how much you can raise the rent, and when you can end a tenancy. It has been in effect since January 1, 2020, and it is currently set to sunset on January 1, 2030. Here is a plain-English 2026 refresher for housing providers in Pittsburg and the surrounding East Contra Costa cities.
At a glance (2026)
- Rent cap: 5% plus your region's inflation (CPI), with a hard ceiling of 10% in any 12-month period, whichever is lower.
- Just cause: once a tenant has lived in the unit 12 months, you need a valid, stated reason to end the tenancy.
- No-fault move-outs (like owner move-in) require one month's rent in relocation assistance.
- AB 1482 is residential only. It does not apply to commercial space.
- Many single-family homes and condos are exempt, but only if the owner is a natural person and the correct written notice was given.
What properties are covered
AB 1482 covers most residential rentals: apartments, most single-family homes, condos, duplexes, and similar housing. A common point of confusion, and something worth correcting, is commercial property. AB 1482 does not cover offices, retail, or warehouses. Those are governed by the lease and separate commercial law, not this statute.
Coverage generally applies once a unit has been continuously occupied for 12 months, or 24 months in some tenant-turnover situations.
The rent cap, and how to actually calculate it
The cap is 5% plus the change in the regional Consumer Price Index, and it can never exceed 10% in a 12-month window. The CPI portion changes every year and differs by region, so the correct number for a Bay Area rental is not the same as one in Los Angeles.
Because that figure moves, the safest habit is to confirm the current regional CPI before you send any increase notice. The California Apartment Association publishes the current allowable percentage by region. A quick example: if regional CPI is 3.5%, your cap is 8.5% (5% + 3.5%). If regional CPI came in at 6%, you would not get 11%, because the 10% ceiling applies.
Just cause: the part that trips people up
After 12 months, ending a tenancy requires a listed reason. There are two families of reasons:
- At-fault (for example, nonpayment or a lease violation). For curable issues, you generally have to give the tenant a chance to fix the problem first.
- No-fault (for example, an owner or close family member moving in, or a substantial remodel). These require one month's rent in relocation assistance, paid directly or waived from the final month.
SB 567, in effect since April 2024, tightened the no-fault reasons. Owner move-in and substantial-remodel claims now carry stricter documentation requirements and real penalties if misused. If you are planning a no-fault move-out, this is the area where getting the paperwork exactly right matters most. Our California eviction guide for Contra Costa landlords walks through the notice and unlawful detainer process step by step.
The exemption most owners get wrong
Single-family homes and condos can be exempt from the rent cap and just-cause rules, but the exemption is conditional. Two things both have to be true: the owner is a natural person (not a corporation, REIT, or an LLC with a corporate member), and the tenant received the specific statutory exemption notice.
This is where good intentions go sideways. Generic lease boilerplate usually does not satisfy the notice requirement. If the exact statutory language was not delivered the right way, the property can be treated as covered, even if you assumed it was exempt. It is worth verifying rather than assuming.
A balanced word for owners
It is easy to read AB 1482 as purely a constraint, and understandably so. But there is another way to look at it. Predictable, documented rent increases and clear move-out rules also reduce disputes, support longer tenancies, and make your operation easier to defend if a disagreement ever lands in front of a judge. Owners who treat compliance as part of a professional system, rather than a hurdle, tend to have fewer surprises. Both things can be true: the law adds steps, and following it well can protect you.
FAQ
How much can I raise the rent under AB 1482 in 2026?
Up to 5% plus your regional CPI, never more than 10% in a 12-month period. Confirm the current regional percentage before sending a notice, because the CPI portion changes annually and by area.
Does AB 1482 apply to single-family homes?
Often yes, unless the owner is a natural person and the tenant received the correct written exemption notice. Boilerplate lease language usually is not enough.
Does AB 1482 cover commercial property?
No. It applies to residential rentals only. Commercial space is governed by the lease and separate law.
What is SB 567?
A 2024 amendment that tightened the no-fault eviction reasons (owner move-in, substantial remodel) with stricter proof requirements and penalties for misuse.
When does AB 1482 expire?
It is currently set to sunset on January 1, 2030, unless the Legislature extends it.
Get it right for your property
Rent rules also stack with any local ordinances. Cities like Antioch have added their own protections, so the statewide rules are a floor, not the whole picture. When you are unsure whether a property is exempt or how a specific increase should be handled, it is worth a quick check before you act. Croskey Real Estate keeps current on these laws for owners across Pittsburg, Antioch, Bay Point, Concord, Oakley, and Brentwood. You can schedule a consultation or run our Landlord Compliance Self-Assessment for a quick self-review.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Laws and local ordinances change; consult qualified counsel or the appropriate agency about your specific situation.
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