AB 1482 — Tenant Protection Act & Rent Caps

Effective: January 1, 2020 (ongoing through at least 2030). Limits annual rent increases for most residential units in California.

Key Rule
Rent increases are capped at 5% + local CPI, or 10% — whichever is lower, in any 12-month period.

Who is covered:

  • Single-family rentals owned by corporations or LLCs
  • Multi-unit buildings 15+ years old
  • Condos not separately owned

Who is exempt:

  • Single-family homes owned by individual landlords (with proper lease notice)
  • Condos and townhomes separately sold to individual owners
  • New construction (less than 15 years old)
  • Properties under local rent control (LA City, Santa Ana RSO, etc.)
OC Alert — Santa Ana Rent Control
Santa Ana has its own rent stabilization ordinance. If you own property in Santa Ana, a separate, stricter local ordinance applies on top of AB 1482.
10% Max increase in any 12 months
30 days Written notice required
90 days Notice if increase > 10%

SB 567 — Strengthened Just-Cause Eviction (2024)

Effective: April 1, 2024. Significantly tightens "owner move-in" and "substantial remodel" eviction grounds under AB 1482.

  • Owner move-in requires occupancy within 90 days and for at least 12 months
  • Failure: tenant may sue for actual damages + $10,000 penalty
  • "Substantial remodel" now requires building permits; work cannot be safely done with tenant in place
  • Relocation assistance is mandatory for no-fault evictions: minimum one month's rent
Highest-Risk Area for OC Landlords
Owner move-in eviction lawsuits are the #1 source of tenant litigation in OC for 2024–2025. If you're considering one, consult an attorney before serving notice.

AB 12 — Security Deposit Cap (Effective July 1, 2024)

AB 12 dramatically reduced the maximum security deposit landlords can collect.

Major Change
Maximum security deposit is now 1 month's rent for most landlords — down from 2 months (unfurnished) or 3 months (furnished).

Exception: "Small landlords" owning no more than two properties with no more than four total units may collect up to 2 months' rent.

Key rules:

  • Must return deposit within 21 days of tenant vacating
  • Must provide itemized written statement of all deductions
  • Cannot deduct for "normal wear and tear"
  • Pet deposits count toward the total limit — separate "pet fees" are prohibited
Action Required
If you hold deposits greater than 1 month's rent for tenants who signed after July 1, 2024, you must refund the excess. For pre-existing leases, consult your attorney.

Habitability Standards & Maintenance

California Civil Code §1941 requires landlords to maintain all rental properties in habitable condition. Failure gives tenants the right to withhold rent, repair-and-deduct, or sue.

Required standards:

  • Effective waterproofing and weatherproofing of roof and exterior
  • Plumbing, gas, heating, and electrical in good working order
  • Hot and cold running water
  • Free from rodent, cockroach, and bedbug infestation
  • Functioning deadbolt locks on all exterior doors
  • Working smoke detectors in every bedroom (updated 2025)
  • Carbon monoxide detectors on every floor
  • Adequate garbage and recyclable receptacles

Repair-and-deduct: If a landlord fails to fix a habitability issue after written notice, a tenant may hire their own contractor and deduct up to one month's rent, up to twice per year.

Evictions — Notice Requirements & Process

3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit: Must include the exact amount owed and where/how to pay.

3-Day Notice to Cure or Quit: For lease violations. Tenant has 3 days to fix the violation or leave.

30/60-Day Notice to Vacate (No-Fault):

  • 30 days if tenant has lived there less than 1 year
  • 60 days if tenant has lived there 1+ years
  • Relocation assistance required if covered by AB 1482

Unlawful Detainer (Court): Average OC Superior Court timeline: 4–8 weeks if uncontested; 3–6 months if contested.

Required Disclosures at Lease Signing

  • Lead-Based Paint — properties built before 1978
  • Mold Disclosure — if known to exceed limits
  • Pest Control — if treated in the past year
  • Flood Zone Disclosure — FEMA zone required as of 2024
  • Megan's Law Notice — required in every lease
  • AB 1482 Exemption Notice — if exempt, must state in lease
  • Bedbug Disclosure — written information to all new tenants
  • PFAS / Water Notice — if served by system with known violations

Fair Housing — FEHA & Protected Classes

California's FEHA prohibits discrimination based on 12+ protected classes — significantly more than federal law.

Protected classes include: Race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income (Section 8), military/veteran status, immigration status.

Source of Income — Critical
California law prohibits refusing to rent to tenants using Section 8 vouchers. You cannot advertise "no Section 8." Violations carry penalties up to $10,000 per violation.

How NGC Keeps You Compliant

  • Lease templates updated annually — every 2025 disclosure included
  • Rent increase notices automated — calculated per unit, sent on time
  • Eviction coordination — we work with experienced OC UD attorneys
  • Security deposit accounting — tracked separately, itemized statements auto-generated
  • Fair housing screening protocol — consistent, documented, defensible
Free Compliance Review
Already managing your own property? NGC offers a free compliance review — we'll check your lease, disclosures, and deposit ledger for exposure.

Request Your Free Review →