“Key Highlights: Rent increases in Long Beach are subject to California law and sometimes local regulations. Covered properties generally follow a statewide rent cap, and landlords must provide proper notice. Knowing Long Beach landlord-tenant law can help you follow the proper procedure when increasing rent and understand your rights.”

A rent increase can affect a family’s budget. A landlord may justify a rent increase if it covers the cost of maintaining the property. However, California limits rent increases.  Long Beach also has restrictions on landlord-tenant relationships. So, to better understand the laws governing a given property, the Long Beach landlord-tenant law is the Holy Bible.

Knowing helps you understand which laws govern the property.

Is There a Rent Increase Limit in Long Beach?

Many Long Beach rentals fall under California's Tenant Protection Act. The total limit on the covered property is the smaller of 5% plus the cost-of-living adjustment or 10% of the total annual rent as currently assessed.

The Attorney General of California sets the area-based limits for rent increases effective from August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027. The property must first be deemed a covered property.

Which Properties Are Covered?

Not all rental properties face the same restrictions. The Tenant Protection Act typically covers many residential properties older than 15 years. However, exceptions include some one-family houses, duplexes occupied by their owners, new construction projects, and some affordable homes.

Sometimes it can be hard to understand what an exemption means, and therefore the tenant will need to verify the exemption status before increasing rent.

How Often Can Rent Be Increased?

For rental units covered by the Long Beach rent control ordinance, a landlord generally may increase rent no more than twice within any 12 months.

Second Rent Increase: How Is It Determined?

If the owner increases the rent twice in a year, the second increase is always calculated from the original rent, not the increased amount.

Why is This Important?

Using the original base rent helps ensure that tenants are not charged more than the total increase permitted under the ordinance. It prevents landlords from effectively exceeding the allowed annual increase through multiple compounded increases.

Importance of Record-keeping

Landlords should keep records of:

• The base rent amount.
• The date of each rent increase.
• The percentage and dollar amount of each increase.
• Notices provided to tenants.

Good record-keeping makes it easier to determine whether an increase is allowed and how much under the law.

Because local rent control laws can vary and may include other conditions, review the latest Long Beach rent control laws.

What About Local Long Beach Rules?

State law is not the only source of tenant protections. Long Beach has local tenant protection laws that supplement California's laws. The city's Just Cause for Termination of Tenancies Ordinance, for example, protects many tenants who have continuously and lawfully occupied a unit for at least 12 months. Local requirements vary by property and situation.

Special Rules for Housing Choice Voucher Tenants

Rental units that participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program have additional requirements.

According to the Long Beach Housing Authority, rent increases on voucher units are subject to a rent reasonableness determination and applicable California rent-increase requirements.

Recipients of rental assistance must watch for notices from the housing agency and ask questions they may have.

Actions Tenants Should Take After Getting a Rent Increase Notice

The tenant should check the notice thoroughly. He must confirm the current rent, proposed rent, increase date, and increase amount. The tenant may be able to ascertain whether the Tenant Protection Act applies to his rental property.

He should keep copies of the lease agreement, rent increase notifications, and letters to the landlord.

What Should Landlords Do Before Increasing Rent?

Landlords should take several steps before raising rent. First, determine if the property is subject to the cap. Next, check whether any Long Beach requirements apply. Review any prior rent increases, calculate the permitted amount, and deliver the notice properly. Keeping detailed records can help show that you followed the proper procedure.

Why Legal Guidance Can Be Useful

California's landlord-tenant rules can get complicated, especially when state requirements intersect with local protections.

Questions can come up regarding property exemptions, rent calculations, notice periods, lease terms, and tenant protections.

Knowing Long Beach landlord-tenant law helps both parties understand which rules apply to their case. It can also help them understand what to do if the situation is unclear or if there is a disagreement.

Conclusion

Many properties fall under the California Tenant Protection Act, and Long Beach also has local rules. Covered landlords must normally comply with rent control, restrictions on frequency, and notice requirements.

The tenant must review the rent increase notice and keep all the relevant documents. The landlord must ensure the property is covered and calculate the increase before issuing the proper notice to the tenant.