US-CaliforniaWhat notice must my landlord give before filing an eviction?
In California, your landlord must give you 30 days’ written notice for a rent increase of 10% or less in any 12-month period, and 90 days’ notice for increases over 10%. If you’ve lived in the unit for over a year, different rules may apply under local rent control laws.
What the Law Says
California state law sets minimum notice requirements for rent increases. These rules apply statewide unless a local rent control ordinance provides stronger protections.
Under the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), landlords must provide written notice before raising rent on most residential units. The required notice period depends on how much the rent is increasing and how long you’ve lived in the unit.
If the rent increase is 10% or less within a 12-month period, the landlord must give at least 30 days’ written notice. If the increase exceeds 10%, they must give at least 90 days’ written notice.
This law applies to most rental units built more than 15 years ago and not exempted (e.g., single-family homes owned by individuals who don’t own more than two such properties, or duplexes where the owner lives in one unit).
Statutory TextA landlord shall not increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or unit by more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, over a 12-month period.
— Civil Code § 1946.2(b)(1) — Rent Increase Limitation
Statutory TextA landlord shall provide notice of a rent increase of 10 percent or less… at least 30 days prior to the effective date… A landlord shall provide notice of a rent increase greater than 10 percent… at least 90 days prior to the effective date.
— Civil Code § 1946.2(c) — Notice Requirements
What to Do
Check if your city has local rent control (e.g., Los Angeles, Oakland, Berkeley) — it may require longer notice or cap increases further.
Review your lease: if it’s still in effect and doesn’t allow mid-term increases, the landlord generally cannot raise rent until it expires.
Confirm the notice is in writing, states the new rent amount and effective date, and meets the correct timeframe (30 or 90 days).
If the notice is defective (e.g., too short, oral only, or violates AB 1482’s cap), you may refuse the increase and seek legal help.
Keep copies of all notices and communications — they’re critical if disputes arise.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.