California has both a statewide rent and eviction protection law and, in many cities and counties, additional local ordinances layered on top of it. For landlords and tenants alike, understanding which rules apply to a given property is often a necessary first step before serving or responding to a notice.
Statewide Just-Cause Protections
California's statewide Tenant Protection Act generally requires landlords of many (though not all) residential properties to have a qualifying "just cause" before ending certain tenancies, once a tenant has occupied a unit for a required period. Just causes are generally divided into "at-fault" reasons (such as nonpayment of rent or a lease violation) and "no-fault" reasons (such as the owner moving into the unit), which can carry different notice and, in some cases, relocation-assistance requirements.
Statewide Rent Increase Limits
The same law generally limits how much and how often rent can be increased for covered units in a 12-month period, tied in part to a regional inflation figure. Whether a specific unit is covered, and what limit applies, depends on the type of property and other statutory exemptions.
Local Ordinances Can Add Further Requirements
Beyond the statewide law, numerous California cities and counties have their own rent-control and just-cause ordinances, which can impose stricter limits, additional procedural steps, or relocation-assistance obligations beyond what state law requires. Whether a property falls within a particular jurisdiction's ordinance — and what it requires — is a property-specific and often address-specific question.
Common Exemptions
Certain types of housing are commonly, though not universally, exempted from some or all rent-control and just-cause requirements — for example, some newer construction, certain single-family homes, and some owner-occupied properties with a limited number of units. Exemptions can vary between the statewide law and any applicable local ordinance, so a property that is exempt from one may not be exempt from the other.
Why This Matters Before Serving (or Responding to) a Notice
Because rent-control and just-cause rules can affect whether a notice is valid, how much notice is required, and whether relocation assistance may be owed, landlords generally benefit from confirming a property's status before initiating an eviction — see our article on what landlords should know before starting an eviction. Tenants facing a notice may likewise want to confirm whether these protections apply to their tenancy.
Our office assists both landlords and tenants in understanding how these overlapping state and local rules may apply to a specific property. Schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your situation.