For Landlords: Rent Increase Laws in the Inland Empire

Owning rental property in the Inland Empire can be a lucrative investment, but it also comes with plenty of rules to keep track of. One of the biggest questions landlords face is how much they can legally raise rent, and when. With Riverside and San Bernardino counties growing at record speed, rent prices are always a hot topic. At the same time, California has put rules in place to make sure increases are reasonable, which adds some complexity. 

If you’re wondering how ​​rent increase laws in the Inland Empire actually work, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll go over when you can increase rent, how much you’re allowed to raise the price by, and how to do it the right way. By understanding ​​rent increase laws, you can stay legally compliant, build positive relationships with your tenants, and ensure your income continues to come in. 

How Much Can I Increase Rent in the Inland Empire?

As a landlord, the main rule you’ll want to know is California’s Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), which was passed to stop extreme rent hikes. Under this law, most landlords can increase rent by 5% plus the local inflation rate (as measured by the Consumer Price Index), or 10% total, whichever is lower. 

For the Inland Empire, the cap changes each year based on inflation data. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation in Riverside and San Bernardino counties rose 2.5% from March 2024 to March 2025. That means beginning August 1, 2025, the maximum allowable increase will be 7.5%. This is almost a 2% drop from the previous year’s limit of 9.3%. 

To put this into perspective, if your tenant currently pays $2,000 a month, you could raise rent by up to $186, compared to as much as $232 under the earlier 9.3% cap. Raising rent beyond these limits puts you at risk of legal penalties, making it crucial to follow rent increase laws closely. Not only will these laws determine how much you can raise rent, but they’ll also answer the question “when can I increase rent?”

Do I Have to Follow Rent Increase Laws in the Inland Empire?

Not every property is subject to ​​rent increase laws in the Inland Empire. AB 1482 generally applies to: 

• Homes more than 15 years old
• Multi-unit apartment buildings 
• Corporate-owned rental properties

However, there are some exemptions to the rent increase laws, including:

• Homes and apartments built within the last 15 years
• Duplexes where the owner lives in one unit 
• Single-family homes and condos (unless owned by a corporation, REIT, or LLC with corporate ownership)
• Affordable housing with deed restrictions or subsidies
• Dormitories
• Owner-occupied ADUs
• Housing where tenants share a kitchen or bathroom with the owner

If your property is exempt, you must give tenants a written disclosure. Without that notice, you cannot later claim the exemption. 

At the local level, no Inland Empire cities currently have extra rent control ordinances on top of AB 1482. However, because the region is growing so quickly and vacancy rates sit around 4.6%, that could change down the road. Keeping up with changing regulations is essential to staying compliant and making the market fair for everyone. 

When Can I Increase Rent?

One of the most common questions landlords ask is, “When can I increase rent?” The answer depends not only on how much you want to raise it but also on the state’s strict timing and notice rules. Under California’s rent increase laws, landlords must follow these notice periods: 

• If the increase is 10% or less (within any 12-month period), you must give tenants at least 30 days’ written notice. 
• If the increase is more than 10% (which only applies to properties exempt from AB 1482), tenants must receive at least 90 days’ written notice)

The notice has to clearly state the current rent, the new rent amount, the percentage increase, and the exact date when the new rate will take effect. Delivering the notice correctly, whether by hand or mail, is essential. This ensures tenants have enough time to adjust their budgets, explore other housing options, or discuss the change with their landlord. For tenants living paycheck to paycheck, those extra weeks or months of notice can make all the difference. 

Frequency Limits

California’s rent increase laws also prevent landlords from piling on increases back-to-back. For properties covered under AB 1482, landlords can only raise rent once every 12 months for the same tenant. The law does allow for multiple increases in a year, but the combined total still cannot exceed the annual cap. 

For example, if you raise rent by 4% in January and raise it another 3.5% in July, that equals 7.5% total, which matches the Inland Empire’s maximum allowed. So, even if you try to split increases across the year, the cap always applies. This rule protects tenants from “rent shock,” where multiple small hikes in a year could add up to a large, unexpected financial burden.

CPI and Timing 

Because allowable rent caps reset every August based on the latest CPI data, the timing of when you raise rent matters. If you issue an increase before August, it will fall under the old year’s cap. You must follow the new limit if you wait until after August 1. 

So, when landlords ask, “When can I increase rent?”, there are really two factors at play:

1. Notice periods (30 or 90 days, depending on the size of the increase)
2. The CPI cycle, which determines whether you're using the old cap or the new one 

Retaliation Prohibited

It’s also important to note that rent increases cannot be retaliatory. If a tenant reports a safety violation, requests repairs, or joins a tenant organization, you can’t raise rent to punish them. Courts can void retaliatory increases and even issue penalties against landlords. These protections ensure tenants feel safe raising legitimate concerns without fear of losing their housing or facing sudden, unaffordable rent increases. The next time you find yourself asking “when can I increase rent?”, make sure that the reason is based on genuine business needs, not retaliation. 

Rent increase laws in the Inland Empire ultimately aim to keep things fair. In areas with rising housing costs, landlords might feel pressure to raise rents aggressively. However, the combination of notice requirements, annual caps, and one-increase-per-year rules helps account for the landlord’s rights and the tenant’s need for stability.  

How Do I Increase Rent?

Knowing the limits and timing is only part of the process. The real challenge for many landlords is putting a rent increase into action in a way that is both legally correct and respectful to tenants. Rent increase laws in the Inland Empire require clear communication and proper documentation, and following these steps can help you avoid disputes while maintaining good tenant relationships.

• Step 1: Write a Thorough Notice - Include the current rent, the new rent, the percentage increase, and the date it takes effect. 

• Step 2: Deliver the Notice Correctly - Hand it to the tenant, send it by mail, or post and mail together. 

• Step 3: Review the Lease - Fixed-term leases usually don’t allow mid-lease increases unless a clause says otherwise. 

• Step 4: Be Open With Tenants - While not required, explaining that higher taxes, insurance, or maintenance costs led to the increase helps tenants see it as fair, not random. 

• Step 5: Notify Each Tenant Individually - In apartments or other multi-unit buildings, every renter needs their own notice unless they share a lease.  

• Step 6: Keep Good Records - Hold onto copies of all notices, notes on tenant communication, proof of delivery, and any supporting documents that justify the increase (like tax bills or maintenance invoices) 

In a high-demand area like the Inland Empire, where tenants may already feel vulnerable to rising costs, taking these steps serves an important purpose. It creates a more positive relationship with tenants, reduces turnover, and helps you avoid costly legal battles. In the long run, good communication and transparency can show tenants you’re raising rent responsibly. 

Wrapping Up: Evernest Can Handle Rent Increase Laws For You

Understanding ​​rent increase laws in the Inland Empire isn’t just a numbers game. It also requires giving enough notice, respecting lease terms, and being honest with tenants about why the changes are taking place. These rules ensure fairness in areas where housing costs are rising and help landlords avoid disputes while keeping reliable, long-term tenants in place. 

Rent increase laws are just one piece of the property management puzzle. At Evernest, we take care of all the details that keep your property compliant, profitable, and running smoothly. That includes everything from tenant placement to rent caps to maintenance and more. Contact our Inland Empire property management team today and see how we can turn your rental into a stress-free investment!