Your landlord just raised the rent. Now what?

In the first 24 hours, verify five things

1. Is the unit covered by AB 1482? Most multifamily in California is. If yes, the legal cap is 5% + CPI (currently ~8-9%), with a 10% absolute ceiling. Increases above the cap are illegal.
2. Are you in the 12-month no-increase window? Landlords can only raise rent once in any 12-month period. A second increase in the same year is unenforceable.
3. Did you get proper written notice? California requires at least 30 days written notice for increases under 10%, and 90 days for increases of 10% or more.
4. Has the landlord served the AB 1482 exemption notice? For single-family rentals to be exempt from the cap, the landlord must have given you a specific written notice. No notice = covered by the cap regardless.
5. Is the unit subject to local rent control? Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, and several others have stricter caps. Check your city.

If the increase is illegal

Write the landlord a polite letter citing the specific rule. Most "illegal" increases are mistakes — landlord did not realize the cap applied, or miscalculated. Pointing it out usually resolves it without conflict.

If they refuse to back off: file a complaint with your local rent board (if you have one), or with the California Department of Real Estate. As a last resort, small claims court for the over-charge.

If the increase is legal: your three options

1. Accept it. Run the math: 12 months × ($new - $current) vs. the cost of moving (deposits, transition, time). Often moving costs $3,000-6,000; an extra $150/mo over 12 months is $1,800. Math may favor accepting.
2. Negotiate. Counter with a smaller increase + a longer lease. Most landlords will trade 1-2% off the increase for an 18-24 month commitment.
3. Move. Calculate your real moving cost (movers + deposits + lost work time + risk premium for unknown new place). If your current rent post-increase is materially above market, moving is worth it. If not, you are paying for moving in exchange for marginal savings.

What you should not do

• Withhold rent. Almost always a losing move. Even if the increase is illegal, withhold and you give the landlord grounds for a 3-day-pay-or-quit.
• Stop responding. Silence does not protect you. Acknowledge the notice in writing (even just "received"), then negotiate or move from a position of having documented your response.
• Take advice from one source. Including this page. State law changes fast, local rules vary by city. If the dollar amount matters, talk to a tenant-rights nonprofit or a tenant attorney.