Does Santa Clarita Have Rent Control?

Updated 10/19/24

The question, “Does Santa Clarita have rent control?” is a common one for both new and veteran landlords in California. With the state’s ever-evolving housing regulations, understanding rent control in specific cities is crucial for managing properties effectively. Santa Clarita, located in Los Angeles County, has not historically been associated with the same strict rent control policies as cities like Los Angeles or Santa Monica. However, state laws such as AB 1482, commonly known as the California Tenant Protection Act, have brought changes to many cities, including Santa Clarita.

In this article, we will explore whether Santa Clarita has rent control, discuss the key state laws impacting rental properties, and offer insight into what landlords need to know to stay compliant.

Understanding Rent Control in Santa Clarita

Santa Clarita itself does not have its own municipal rent control ordinance. This means that unlike cities such as Los Angeles or San Francisco, Santa Clarita does not have city-specific rules regulating rent increases or eviction protections. However, this does not mean landlords in Santa Clarita are free from all regulations regarding rent hikes and tenant protections. The California Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482) applies to most rental properties across the state, including Santa Clarita, and places significant limits on rent increases and eviction procedures.

How Does AB 1482 Impact Landlords in Santa Clarita?

AB 1482 is a statewide law that regulates how much landlords can raise the rent and under what circumstances they can evict tenants. While Santa Clarita does not have its own local rent control, AB 1482 fills that gap with broad protections for tenants. Here’s what landlords need to know:

• Rent Increase Limits: Under AB 1482, landlords can only increase rent by 5% annually plus the local rate of inflation, with a maximum cap of 10% per year. This means that even in cities like Santa Clarita without their own rent control laws, rent hikes are regulated at the state level. Landlords must be aware of these limits when setting new rental rates each year.
• Just-Cause Evictions: Another key feature of AB 1482 is the requirement for just-cause evictions. After a tenant has lived in a unit for 12 months or longer, landlords can only evict them for specific reasons such as non-payment of rent, violation of lease terms, or other outlined causes. In Santa Clarita, as elsewhere in California, this law provides tenants with greater security and limits a landlord’s ability to end a tenancy without a clear reason.

COVID-19 Tenant Protections in Santa Clarita

In addition to the protections offered by AB 1482, landlords in Santa Clarita were also subject to COVID-19-related eviction moratoriums and rent deferral policies. These emergency measures were enacted to protect tenants who were financially impacted by the pandemic.

However, as of April 1, 2023, these pandemic-related tenant protections expired in Santa Clarita. This means landlords who have tenants who have not paid rent or violated lease terms since that time may now pursue legal action, such as serving a 3-day notice to pay rent or vacate. If tenants have failed to make payments that were due after April 2023, landlords may begin the eviction process following proper legal procedures.

Eviction Procedures in Santa Clarita Post-COVID-19

For landlords seeking to evict tenants in Santa Clarita, understanding the post-COVID-19 eviction process is key. The expiration of pandemic protections does not mean that evictions can happen without proper steps. Here are the typical procedures:

1. 3-Day Notice: For most lease violations, including non-payment of rent, landlords can issue a 3-day notice to pay rent or vacate. This gives the tenant three days to either settle their overdue rent or leave the property.
2. 30-Day Notice: If the tenant’s lease violation involves unauthorized occupants or pets that were brought into the unit during the COVID-19 emergency period (between March 1, 2020, and January 20, 2023), the landlord must serve a 30-day notice to allow time for the tenant to remedy the situation before filing an unlawful detainer action.
3. No-Fault Evictions: Starting April 1, 2023, landlords in Santa Clarita may issue 60-day notices for no-fault evictions, unless the property is subject to Civil Code 1946.2, which requires just cause for eviction. However, if the tenant has taken advantage of COVID-19 rent protections, they are still protected from no-fault evictions until their repayment period ends.

What About Rent Control in the Future?

While Santa Clarita does not have local rent control, it’s important for landlords to stay updated on any potential changes. With the housing crisis continuing to impact many regions in California, cities that previously had no rent control policies could introduce new regulations in the future. Staying informed about city council meetings, new legislation, or shifts in housing policy is essential for property managers and landlords looking to avoid non-compliance.

Tenant and Landlord Rights in Santa Clarita

Even without city-specific rent control, both tenants and landlords in Santa Clarita are protected by state and federal housing laws. Landlords must follow AB 1482, as well as comply with federal anti-discrimination laws when selecting tenants or managing properties. Tenants have the right to fair housing and protection from unreasonable rent increases or unjust evictions under these laws.

Landlords should also ensure they are properly informing tenants about their rights under AB 1482, particularly if they plan to raise the rent or issue an eviction notice. Clear communication and legal compliance will help prevent disputes or legal action.

Final Thoughts on Rent Control in Santa Clarita

To answer the question, “Does Santa Clarita have rent control?”, the city itself does not have its own rent control ordinance. However, AB 1482 serves as the primary regulation governing rent increases and tenant protections in the area. With rent increases capped and just-cause eviction requirements in place, landlords in Santa Clarita need to be aware of these state-level laws to manage their properties effectively.

For landlords, it’s important to stay informed about ongoing changes in both state and local housing laws. While Santa Clarita does not have city-specific rent control, evolving regulations at the state level, combined with the expiration of COVID-19 tenant protections, will continue to shape how landlords manage their properties in 2023 and beyond.

If you are a landlord or property manager in Santa Clarita, consulting with a legal expert or staying in touch with local housing authorities can ensure you remain compliant and up to date on any changes that may arise.

For help with evictions in Santa Clarita, you can contact our office 1-800-686-8686 or email us at intake@fastevict.com