Reviewed August 2026 · California
Rent Increase Notices in California
An increase of 10% or less requires 30 days written notice; an increase above 10% requires 90 days. The notice period is separate from — and stacks on top of — the AB 1482 rent cap.
At a glance
- Increase ≤ 10%
- 30 days notice
- Increase > 10%
- 90 days notice
- Measured over
- Rolling 12 months
- Service by mail
- Add 5 days
- Statute
- Civ. Code §827
Thirty days or ninety
For a month-to-month tenancy, the required notice depends on the size of the increase measured against the rent charged at any time during the previous 12 months:
| Cumulative increase over 12 months | Written notice required |
|---|---|
| 10% or less | 30 days |
| More than 10% | 90 days |
Fixed-term leases
Rent cannot be raised during the term of a fixed-term lease unless the lease itself expressly provides for it. An increase takes effect at renewal, or when the tenancy converts to month-to-month.
Serving the notice
The notice must be in writing and delivered by a method the statute recognizes: personal delivery, substituted service on a person of suitable age at the residence or workplace with a copy mailed, or posting and mailing. Service by mail adds five days to the notice period.
A written notice may be served by email only where the tenant has agreed in writing to that method. Text-message notice is not a substitute for statutory service.
The notice should state the new rent amount, the date it takes effect, and the address it is served on. Vague or conditional language — "rent will increase to approximately…" — invites a dispute you will lose.
Common questions
How much notice is required to raise rent in California?
30 days written notice for an increase of 10% or less, and 90 days for an increase above 10%, measured cumulatively against the rent charged at any point in the previous 12 months.
Can a landlord raise rent in the middle of a lease?
Not unless the lease itself allows it. In a fixed-term lease the rent is fixed for the term; increases take effect at renewal or once the tenancy goes month-to-month.
Does a rent increase notice have to be in writing?
Yes. A verbal rent increase is not effective. The notice must be written and served by a method the statute recognizes, and service by mail extends the notice period by five days.
Sources
This is general information, not legal advice. California law changes every year and local ordinances often go further than state law. Check your city and county rules, and talk to a California attorney before acting on anything here.