AB 1482 Exemption Checker
Answer yes or no to a few questions to see whether a rental looks exempt from the statewide rent cap, just cause, or both.
Tick what is true, then press Check.
Have a question about your situation, want tips, or need a referral? Email the CLRC team at [email protected]. We share general information, not legal advice, and we’re not a law firm.
How does this checker work?
It compares your answers with the two exemption lists in the statute: Civil Code § 1947.12(d) for the rent cap and Civil Code § 1946.2(e) for just cause. The two lists are not the same. For example, the owner-occupied duplex is on both, but a shared kitchen with the owner and an owner-occupied house with one or two rooms rented are exempt only from just cause.
When is a single-family home or condo exempt?
All three conditions must be met: the home can be sold separately from other units, the owner is not a REIT, a corporation, or an LLC with at least one corporate member, and the tenant was given written notice that the home is exempt. The notice must be in the rental agreement for a tenancy that began or was renewed on or after July 1, 2020; for an older tenancy it may be given in writing outside the rental agreement. The statute sets out the required wording, and mobilehome park management is also excluded from this exemption.
What stays in force even for an exempt home?
A landlord cannot make a tenant waive these rights. Local rent control, emergency price caps, notice rules, deposit rules and fair-housing law are separate from AB 1482. During a declared emergency the 10% cap in Penal Code § 396 can apply to an exempt home: see the emergency order tracker. For the cap itself, use the maximum rent increase wizard. For the rules in full, read the AB 1482 guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is a single-family home exempt from California’s rent cap?
Only if it can be sold separately, the owner is not a REIT, corporation, or LLC with a corporate member, and the tenant received the written exemption notice (Civil Code § 1947.12(d)(5)). If any one is missing, the home is covered.
Is housing built in the last 15 years exempt?
Yes, from both the rent cap and just cause, based on the date of the certificate of occupancy (Civil Code §§ 1947.12(d)(4) and 1946.2(e)(7)). Mobilehomes are excluded from that exemption. The 15-year window moves forward each year.
Does the exemption list differ between the rent cap and just cause?
Yes. Section 1946.2(e) lists nine exemptions and § 1947.12(d) lists six, and they do not match. Check both.
Does this checker give a legal conclusion?
No. It is a screening tool based on your own answers. A lease, a local ordinance or a fact it does not ask about can change the result.
Sources
- Civ. Code § 1947.12 (rent cap)
- Civ. Code § 1946.2 (just cause)
- Attorney General: local rent caps
- California Courts self-help: landlord eviction information
This tool applies general California rules to the dates you enter. It cannot see your lease, your city’s ordinance or the facts of your situation. Check your local rent rules and consult a qualified attorney before you serve a notice or withhold a deposit. Read the disclaimer.