Important Details for Renters in California
I’m currently renting in CA, by choice. I used to own a smaller place, so I’m familiar with the pros and cons of both. I’m a huge fan of renting when it makes sense, because my downside is strictly limited and the landlord has to perform and pay for all the work I would have had to do as an owner.
The laws in CA, especially in SF, are highly favorable toward renters, however nobody tells you any of these when you move in. Here are the most useful pieces of info I’ve picked up. Naturally, please consult a real estate lawyer before making any decisions.
- You are owed interest on your security deposit every year.
- The landlord can’t raise rent in order to kick us out - I’m protected under AB1482 “Just cause”
- Landlord cannot increase rent for Pet by 0.05%
- Anti-retaliation laws in CA cover up to 180d after any action
- 24h written notice is required to enter property
- Deadline for landlord to itemize and return deposit: 21 days
- Once you’re in a place for more than a year and the lease runs out, it automatically converts to a month-to-month tenancy under the same terms as the original lease.
- Notice required to change any terms of a MTM tenancy: 30 days, unless proposed change is 10% rent increase then 60 additional days required - so 90.
Notices must be delivered in hard copy form California requires that notice regarding the termination of a month-to-month lease be hand-delivered or delivered by mail. Sending notice via email or verbally providing it is not permitted under state law.
Landlords must provide 30 or 90 days’ notice to increase rent California’s new state-wide rent control provisions apply to most rental properties in the state. The new law caps annual rent increases and stipulates how much notice must be given to change rent. The amount of notice a landlord must give to raise rent depends on the increase:
- If it’s greater than 10%, 90 days’ notice is required
- If it’s 10% or less, 30 days’ notice is required
Landlords can only increase rent by 5% plus inflation or 10% per year (whichever is lower). In addition, they can only increase rent twice per year to reach the maximum increase.
Also:
This is not financial advice.