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Free California Rent
Increase Notice Template

Last reviewed July 2026

Written by LawLease Editorial

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California Rent Increase Notice

A California landlord has to give tenants written notice before rent goes up. How much notice — and whether there’s a cap — is set by statute. Here’s what California’s says.

California rules at a glance

California rules for a Rent Increase Notice
Increase up to 10%30 days. 30 days’ written notice for an increase of 10% or less over the prior year.Civ. Code §827
Increase over 10%90 days. 90 days’ written notice if the increase is more than 10%.Civ. Code §827
Rent capOn units covered by the Tenant Protection Act, increases are limited to 5% plus regional CPI, capped at 10% in any 12-month period, with one increase per year. Single-family homes and condos owned by an individual, and buildings under 15 years old, are generally exempt.Civ. Code §1947.12 (AB 1482)

Rent, late fees & rent caps

For units covered by the statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482), rent increases are limited to 5% plus the regional CPI, capped at 10% in any 12-month period, with only one increase per year (§1947.12). Single-family homes and condos owned by an individual, and buildings under 15 years old, are generally exempt from the cap — but the notice rules below still apply.

  • Increase notice — 30 days’ written notice for an increase of 10% or less over the prior year; 90 days if the increase is more than 10% (§827).
  • Late fees — No statutory number — California treats late fees as liquidated damages that must reasonably approximate the landlord’s actual loss, or they’re void as a penalty (§1671(d)).
  • Returned-check fee — $25 for the first bounced check and $35 for each one after (§1719).
  • No junk fees — Since July 2025, a landlord can’t charge a fee for paying rent by check or for serving a legal notice (SB 611).
  • Local rent control — Costa-Hawkins limits how far cities can go, but places like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, and Santa Monica run their own stricter ordinances — check the local rent board.

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