California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a consumer alert to remind renters about the new limits on how much landlords can increase rent. These rent caps were introduced under the Tenant Protection Act, a law passed in 2020 to protect tenants from displacement due to excessive rent hikes and no-fault evictions.
In addition to these protections, a new law signed last year introduced enforcement measures to ensure compliance. Under the Tenant Protection Act, most landlords can only raise rent by 5% plus the local cost of living change or 10%, whichever is lower. These limits are updated every year and apply from August 1 to July 31.
For example, rent increases in San Diego County are capped at 8.6% for the period between August 2024 and July 2025. Similar limits apply across other major California cities, with variations depending on local cost-of-living data. Renters are advised to check with local housing authorities, as some cities or counties may have stricter rent control laws.
