San Leandro, CA Rental Property Rules: Rent Control (2026)
Rent control rules in San Leandro, CA, also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances, limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
Key Facts
- Local program
- Rent Review Ordinance 2020
- State cap
- AB 1482 - CPI+5%, 10% max
- Just cause
- After 12 months
- Age exemption
- Under 15 years
- SFH exemption
- If non-corporate owner
Summary
San Leandro adopted a local Rent Review Ordinance in 2020 for mediation. AB 1482 statewide rent cap also applies: CPI+5%, max 10% annually, just cause eviction.
1947.12. (a) (1) Subject to subdivision (b), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months prior to the effective date of the increase.
(2) If the same tenant remains in occupancy of a unit of residential real property over any 12-month period, the gross rental rate for the unit of residential real property shall not be increased in more than two increments over that 12-month period, subject to the other restrictions of this subdivision governing gross rental rate increase.
(b) For a new tenancy in which no tenant from the prior tenancy remains in lawful possession of the residential real property, the owner may establish the initial rental rate not subject to subdivision (a). Subdivision (a) is only applicable to subsequent increases after that initial rental rate has been established.
(d) This section shall not apply to the following residential real properties:
(1) Housing restricted by deed, regulatory restriction contained in an agreement with a government agency, or other recorded document as affordable housing for persons and families of very low, low, or moderate income, as defined in Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code, or subject to an agreement that provides housing subsidies for affordable housing for persons and families of very low, low, or moderate income.
(4) Housing that has been issued a certificate of occupancy within the previous 15 years, unless the housing is a mobilehome.
(6) A property containing two separate dwelling units within a single structure in which the owner occupied one of the units as the owner's principal place of residence at the beginning of the tenancy, so long as the owner continues in occupancy, and neither unit is an accessory dwelling unit or a junior accessory dwelling unit.
Full Breakdown
San Leandro does not have traditional rent control but adopted a Rent Review Ordinance in 2020 (SLMC Title 4) that requires landlords to participate in mediation for above-threshold rent increases on covered units. California AB 1482 (Civ Code §1946.2 and §1947.12), the Tenant Protection Act of 2019, provides a statewide cap of 5% plus local CPI, not to exceed 10% per year, on qualifying properties older than 15 years. Just-cause eviction protections also apply after 12 months of tenancy. Single-family homes (if not corporate-owned) and condos owned by non-entities are exempt from AB 1482. The Rent Review Ordinance is extended periodically; check current city status.
Violations & Fines
Over-cap increase is void. Tenants may recover rent plus damages. Improper eviction: wrongful eviction damages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Leandro rent controlled?
How much can my landlord raise rent?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Leandro
California rules heatmap·Compare San Leandro to another location·View the California rental property rules overview
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Rent Control in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle rent control.