Temporary ban limits rent increases in Santa Cruz County until new law takes effect

Santa Cruz County has adopted a temporary ban that will limit annual rent increases and protect tenants until the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 goes into effect.

The act, also called AB 1482, goes into effect on Jan.1. The state law limits annual rent increases to 5% plus inflation or 10% of the lowest gross rental rate for that unit during the previous 12 months, whichever is lower.

“We know how challenging it is for working families to find housing in our community. It is important that we protect them until this legislation goes into effect,” Board of Supervisors Chair Ryan Coonerty said.

The bill also requires landlords to state a just cause to evict tenants who have lived at the location for more than a year.

Both the rent cap and the just cause requirement have exemptions that include housing built in the last 15 years and single-family homes unless they are owned by a real estate trust or corporation.