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Renters make up almost 40% of County residents and a statewide bill passed in January has been giving protection against unregulated rent increases and unjust evictions.
Assembly Bill 1482 caps rent increases statewide at 5%, with an added percentage based on inflation – for a maximum increase of 10% per year. With inflation in California nearly double what it was last year – that means as of August 1st – all regions in the state now qualify for the maximum increase.
With about 1.5 million Californians still behind on rent – a 10% increase in rent can be hard. In San Bernardino County – which doesn’t have rent control laws – the potential increase can especially affect vulnerable residents in a tumultuous long-term housing market. The bill should limit sudden rent increases and surprise evictions but exemptions to the bill could make some rentals fall outside of those protections:
Properties that can be classified as exempt to AB 1482:
- Units constructed in the last 15 years are exempt
- Single family homes are exempt unless it’s owned by a Real Estate Investment Trust, corporation, or LLC
- Mobile homes
- A two-unit property, provided the second unit was occupied by an owner of the property for the entire period of the tenancy.
- The limited exemption for single-family homes does not apply where there is more than one dwelling unit on the same lot, or any second residential unit in the building that cannot be sold separately from the subject unit (such as an in-law unit).
- Units restricted by deed, regulatory restrictions, or other recorded document limiting the affordability to low or moderate-income households
- Certain dormitories
Landlords had until August 1st to notify tenants that live in properties that are exempt from the bill. If your rent has recently increased beyond the new limits imposed, and you didn’t receive written notification from your landlord of the exemption – you can contact the Inland Fair Housing and Mediation Board for assistance.
LINKS:
Inland Fair Housing and Mediation Board website
1-800-321-0911
