Pasadena Rent Control Regulations

The following information is from the Pasadena Rent Stabilization Department, established to support the Pasadena Rental Housing Board.

In December 2022, Measure H, the Pasadena Fair & Equitable Housing Charter Amendment, was approved by voters, implementing new rent control regulations within the city.

Who Is Covered?

The new rent control laws apply to multi-unit residential rental properties built before February 1, 1995. There may be some rare exceptions. If your unit was constructed between 1995 and 2007, you might be protected by California State Tenant Protection Act.

Who Is Not Covered?

• Residential rental units built after February 1, 1995.
• Hospitals, medical facilities, treatment/recovery programs, educational dorms, convents, and nursing homes.
• Condominiums and single-family homes.
• Subsidized units owned by a government agency or by a nonprofit and subsidized by tax credits.

What Is the Legal Rent?

The legal rent, known as Base Rent, will be determined as follows:

• For tenancies commencing on or before May 17, 2021: the new base rent (the starting point for rent increase calculations) is the rent in effect on that date. Before imposing any rent increase, rents must be rolled back to the rent in effect on May 17, 2021.
• For tenancies commencing after May 17, 2021, the base rent is the initial rent paid by the tenant.

How Much Can Rent Be Legally Raised?

• 2.75% is the Annual General Adjustment (AGA) effective October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024
• Landlords may only increase rents once every 12 months, with a written 30-day notice.
• Landlords are prohibited from raising the rent under specific circumstances, such as when there are significant habitability issues.

Tenant Resources

• Is My Unit Covered? - Check if your rental unit falls under Rent Control and/or Just Cause Eviction protections.
• Move-In / Move-Out Checklist for Tenants – Follow these steps when starting, ending, renewing or changing terms of the lease.
• Security Deposits – Learn about security deposits under state law, and security deposit interest requirements under the Pasadena Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment.
• Rent Levels and Rent Increases - Learn about annual rent adjustments and your rights regarding rent increases for units subject to Rent Control.
• Habitability and Repairs - Habitability problems, and what to do when they arise or cannot be resolved.
• Just Cause for Eviction Overview - Understand the eviction process, your rights, and resources available if you face eviction.
• Retaliation, Harassment, and Discrimination – What to do if you are being harassed, retaliated or discriminated.  All are prohibited in Pasadena.
• Petitions & Hearings – Understand the processes to formally request a rent adjustment.  (Units subject to Rent Control only.)

Rent Rollback

Any covered tenant whose rent was increased beyond the legal limits since May 17, 2021 is eligible for a rent rollback. See more information contained in the Tenant Request for Rent Rollback Form and see the Notice of Rent Withholding, which tenants can use to notify landlord of their intent to withhold rent overpayments due to the owner's failure to comply with the Rent Rollback requirements of the Charter Amendment.

The information above is intended for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Information is subject to change, visit the Pasadena Rent Stabilization Department for updated regulations.