30 days if the cumulative rent increase over the trailing 12 months stays at 10% or less. 90 days if cumulative exceeds 10%. AB 1482-covered units cap at 10%, so lawful increases stay in 30-day territory.

Can I serve the notice by email?

Mailed service adds 5 days under CCP §1013. Email/electronic service is increasingly accepted under modern lease provisions but documentation matters. Personal delivery is the safest service method.

What if my notice is defective?

The increase is unenforceable. Tenant owes the old rent. A defective notice doesn't restart the clock — a new, correct notice has to be served and the full statutory period runs from the new service date.

Do I need to include the AB 1482 math?

Not legally required, but strongly recommended on AB 1482-covered units. Including the applicable CPI and the calculation shows good faith and defeats most tenant challenges to the increase. The §1946.2(e) exemption notice (if claiming exemption) IS required and must be verbatim.

California Rent Increase Notice Template — Required Elements and Sample Format

Q: What must a California rent increase notice include?

Under Civil Code §827: tenant name(s), property address, current rent, new rent (in dollars, not a percentage), effective date at least 30 days after service (90 days if cumulative trailing 12-month increase exceeds 10%), date prepared and served, and signature. For AB 1482-covered units, optional but recommended: the CPI used and the math showing the increase is under the cap.

TL;DR

Civil Code §827 governs. Required elements: tenant name, property, current rent, new rent in dollars, effective date 30+ days out, date served, signature. 90 days if cumulative trailing 12-month increase exceeds 10%; otherwise 30 days. Mailed service adds 5 days.

Required elements (§827)

Tenant name(s)
Property address
Current rent
New rent (in dollars, not just a percentage)
Effective date (30 days after service minimum; 90 days if cumulative over 10%)
Date notice was prepared and served
Signature of landlord or authorized agent

Sample format

Sample — adapt to your factsNOTICE OF RENT INCREASE TO: [Tenant Name(s)] PROPERTY: [Street Address, Unit, City, CA] You are notified that effective [Effective Date — at least 30 calendar days after service; 90 days if cumulative increase over prior 12 months exceeds 10%], the monthly rent on the above premises will increase. Current rent: $[Current]/month New rent: $[New]/month Effective: [Effective Date] [For AB 1482-covered units, recommended:] This increase is within the AB 1482 cap of 5% + local CPI ([CPI %]) = [Total %] for the [Metro] CPI region per HCD's [Year] publication. [For AB 1482-exempt units, required:] This property is exempt from the rent cap and just-cause provisions of Civil Code §1947.12 and §1946.2 as it is [exemption category, with full §1946.2(e) language]. Dated: [Date] [Signature, Print Name, Title]

The cap math

On AB 1482-covered units: 5% + local CPI (April-over-April), capped at 10% absolute. Pull the current CPI from HCD's spring publication or BLS for your metro. Don't use last year's number. Don't use a different metro's number.

Common questions — rent increase notice

Required elements?

§827: tenant name, address, current rent, new rent in dollars, effective date, prep/service date, signature.

30 or 90 days?

30 if cumulative ≤10%. 90 if cumulative >10%.

Email service?

Mail adds 5 days under §1013. Electronic increasingly accepted with proper lease provisions. Personal delivery safest.

Defective notice consequence?

Tenant owes old rent. Restart with correct notice.

Must I show the AB 1482 math?

Not required but recommended. The §1946.2(e) exemption notice IS required verbatim if claiming exemption.

California Rent Increase Notice — format, elements, and the §827 math.