California’s AB 1482, the Tenant Protection Act of 2019, is one of the most misunderstood laws in residential property management — particularly for newer landlords in San Diego. It imposes rent increase caps and just cause eviction requirements on a broad range of properties. But it also has significant exemptions. Knowing where your property stands is not optional.
What AB 1482 Does
For properties that fall under AB 1482, the law does two things: it limits rent increases and it requires “just cause” to terminate a tenancy once a resident has lived in the unit for 12 months.
On rent increases: landlords may not raise rent more than 5% plus local CPI (Consumer Price Index), capped at 10% total, in any 12-month period. In the San Diego area, that has generally meant a ceiling in the 8–10% range depending on the year, though the actual calculation requires checking the current CPI figures.
On just cause: after 12 months of occupancy, you cannot terminate a tenancy simply because the lease has ended. You need a legally recognized reason — either an “at-fault” reason (nonpayment, lease violation, nuisance) or a “no-fault” reason (owner move-in, substantial renovation, removal from rental market). No-fault terminations typically require relocation assistance equal to one month’s rent.
Is Your Property Exempt?
AB 1482 exempts several property categories. Understanding these exemptions matters — they affect both what you can charge and how you can end a tenancy.
- Single-family homes and condos owned by individual landlords, if the resident has been properly notified of the exemption in writing.
- Properties built within the last 15 years (a rolling window — a property built in 2012 becomes subject to AB 1482 in 2027).
- Owner-occupied properties with no more than two units.
- Properties already subject to a local rent control ordinance that offers stronger protections.
- Affordable housing subject to deed restrictions.
The notification requirement for single-family homes and condos is easy to overlook and easy to get wrong. The statute provides specific language that must appear in the lease or in a separate written notice. Without it, the exemption may not hold.
City of San Diego vs. Unincorporated County
The City of San Diego does not have a separate local rent control ordinance beyond AB 1482. However, if your property is in another city within San Diego County — National City, for example, has historically had its own rent stabilization program — local rules may apply instead of or in addition to state law. Always verify the jurisdiction your property sits in.
What This Means Operationally
If your property is subject to AB 1482, you need to track the anniversary of each residency, calculate permissible increases accurately each year, document any just-cause basis before serving a notice to terminate, and pay relocation assistance when required for no-fault terminations. These are procedural requirements — and the penalties for getting them wrong can be significant.
AB 1482 isn’t complicated once you understand how it applies to your specific property. But the details matter — particularly the exemption notice language and the just-cause requirements after 12 months. If you’re unsure where your property stands, that’s the right place to start. |
The Bottom Line
Not every San Diego rental is subject to AB 1482, but many are — and more properties become subject as the 15-year new construction exemption rolls forward. Know your property’s status, serve the exemption notice correctly if it applies, and understand the increase cap and just-cause requirements if it doesn’t. The law is manageable when you plan for it.
We’d be glad to walk through it with you. Cambridge Management Group manages properties across San Diego and can help you determine exactly where your property stands under AB 1482. |
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, tax, or professional advice.