Renters in Greater Los Angeles may soon see landlords gain room to raise rents more sharply when California’s yearly statewide limit updates in August. With everyday expenses such as food, gasoline, and housing already running high, even a modestly larger allowed increase could put added pressure on household budgets.
What’s happening?
On Aug. 1, AB 1482, California’s 2019 tenant protection law, will permit higher annual rent increases in parts of Southern California. According to LAist, the allowable maximum in Los Angeles and Orange counties is set to move from 8.0% to 8.7%, while the limit in Riverside and San Bernardino counties could climb from 7.5% to 8.1%.
Whether the state cap applies depends largely on the kind of housing and how old it is. AB 1482 generally covers mobile homes and apartment buildings that are more than 15 years old, while newer properties are exempt; many single-family homes and condos are also excluded if they are not owned by corporations.
Some cities enforce tighter rent rules than the statewide law, and those stricter local limits typically control instead. In Los Angeles, for instance, the current cap under city rent control is 3%; other cities in the region with lower limits include Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Culver City, Huntington Park, Pomona, Santa Ana, and West Hollywood…