How AB 1482 Applies to Your Rental — Exemptions and Coverage Rules

California Tenant Defense System | Justice Foundation

AB 1482’s statewide rent control and just cause eviction protections apply broadly to California rental housing — but not universally. Understanding exactly which properties are covered and which are exempt determines what protections you have and what additional local protections may fill gaps that AB 1482 leaves.

Properties Covered by AB 1482

AB 1482 applies to most residential rental properties in California that are: more than 15 years old (measured from the date of the certificate of occupancy), not condominiums or single-family homes unless owned by a REIT, corporation, or LLC where an LLC member is a corporation, not covered by a stricter local rent control ordinance (local ordinances preempt AB 1482 where they provide stronger protection), and not deed-restricted affordable housing with specified affordability requirements.

Key Exemptions

Single-family homes: a landlord renting a single-family home they own is exempt from AB 1482 if they provide specific written notice of the exemption to the tenant at the time of lease execution. If this notice was not provided, the unit may be covered despite being a single-family home. Condominiums: owner-occupied condos rented by the owner are exempt. Condos owned by corporations, REITs, or LLCs are covered. New construction: any unit with a certificate of occupancy issued within the past 15 years is exempt — the 15-year window rolls forward each year, meaning units that were once exempt become covered as they age. ADUs: accessory dwelling units may be covered or exempt depending on their specific characteristics and when they were built.

What To Do If You’re Exempt

If AB 1482 doesn’t cover your rental, check whether local rent control applies — many cities have ordinances covering properties that AB 1482 exempts, including single-family homes and newer construction in some jurisdictions. If neither state nor local rent control applies, general California landlord-tenant law still governs habitability, security deposit rules, entry notice requirements, and retaliation protections. The Justice Foundation kit includes a coverage determination checklist for AB 1482 and the major local ordinances.