AB 1482 caps annual rent increases at 5% + local CPI, max 10% for most California rentals built before 2005. If your landlord exceeded the cap, they must refund the excess for every month it was charged.
Coverage Test
AB 1482 covers most residential rentals except: single-family homes/condos with proper written exemption notice, buildings under 15 years old, owner-occupied duplexes, and deed-restricted affordable housing. If you haven’t received a written exemption notice and your building is 15+ years old, you’re likely covered.
Example
Rent: $2,000. CPI: 3.2%. Legal max: 8.2% = $164/month increase. Landlord charged $300 increase = $136/month illegal. Refund demand = $136 × months overcharged.
Send a written demand letter citing Civil Code 1947.12, calculating the exact overcharge per month, demanding a refund and restoration to legal rent.
Section 11 includes the Illegal Rent Increase Demand Letter and Claude AI Prompt 11 to calculate your full refund.
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