AB 1482 FAQs

What is the California Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482)?

AB 1482 is a statewide law that limits rent increases and requires landlords to have a "just cause" to evict tenants. It went into effect on January 1, 2020 and expires on January 1, 2030. The law’s tenant protections apply to both month-to-month rentals as well as fixed leases. For any tenant who has continuously and lawfully resided in a property for 12 months, the landlord must have “just cause” as provided in AB 1482 to terminate the tenancy.

If you believe that your rights under AB 1482 have been violated and you need legal assistance, you should contact an attorney of your choice.

Which kind of properties does AB 1482 cover?

Properties older than 15 years and contain at least 2 units and the owner does not occupy one of the units.

What are the State’s just cause eviction provisions?

  • At-fault reasons

The tenant is responsible for the eviction:

    • Failure to pay rent
    • Breaking the lease
    • Creating a nuisance or damaging the property
    • Using the unit for illegal purposes
    • Refusing to allow the landlord entry
    • Refusing to sign a new lease with similar terms
  • No-fault reasons

The tenant is not responsible for the eviction, but the landlord has legal cause to end the lease:

    • The landlord or a close family member moves into the property
    • The landlord takes the unit off the rental market
    • The landlord complies with a government order
    • The landlord intends to demolish or substantially remodel the property

When do just cause eviction provisions apply?

The just cause protections do not apply until a tenant has been renting a dwelling unit continuously for 12 months. If during the first 24 months, the tenant adds a new tenant to the lease, the just cause does not apply until either one of the following:  1. Any one tenant has been living in the unit for 24 months; OR  2. All of the tenants have been in the unit for at least 12 months.

Do the just cause eviction provisions apply to single family homes?

No, not unless the home is owned by a real estate investment trust, a corporation, or an LLC in which one member is a corporation.

Is there a rent increase limit?

The rent can be raised twice in a 12-month period, as long as the two increases combined do not exceed the rent cap of 5 percent + CPI, or 10 percent, whichever is lower.

What does “substantially remodel” mean?

Substantially remodel means the replacement or modification of any structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical system that requires a permit from a governmental agency and would require the tenant to vacate the dwelling unit for at least 30 days.

When are relocation fees required for evictions?

If a landlord evicts a tenant for “no-fault just cause,” they are eligible for relocation assistance. The relocation assistance must be the equivalent to one month’s rent, and the landlord must pay the relocation assistance within 15 calendar days of the day the eviction notice is served.

 

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