Am I Protected?

On January 1, 2020 the Tenant Protection Act will expand protections to 8 million more renters, making it the single largest advancement for renters rights in California history! The new law ensures renters are protected from unjust evictions and unfair rent increases. However, tenants must satisfy a set of eligibility requirements to be covered by the law. Answer the questions below to understand if you are covered under the Tenant Protection Act.

  • Has everyone in your home lived in your building unit for at least 12 months?

  • Is your building at least 15 years old? This applies to buildings built before January 1st, 2005. Not sure how old your building is? Check with your city’s planning department.

  • Do you share a kitchen or bathroom with your landlord?

  • How many units are there in your building or on the property? If you rent a room in a single-family home, click "One".

  • Is your building owned by a corporation, real estate investment trust (REIT), or LLC in which at least one member is a corporation? Not sure who owns your building? Check with your city’s planning department.

  • Do you rent a room in your landlord’s house/apartment or live in an ADU on your landlord’s property? An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is an additional separate living space located on a property.

  • Does your landlord live with you and is s/he currently renting out more than 2 rooms or accessory dwelling units? An accessory dwelling unit is an additional separate living space located on a property.

  • Is a portion of your rent paid for by a government agency or with a housing voucher? Affordable housing units are exempt from the Tenant Protection Act.

  • Has anyone in your building unit lived there for at least 24 months?

  • Is your building a dormitory connected to any higher education institutions? Buildings that were constructed and maintained by a higher education institution (i.e. University) for students to occupy are exempt from the Tenant Protection Act.

  • Did your landlord live on the property prior to the start of your tenancy and does your landlord continue to reside on the property?

  • Unfortunately, your building is neither covered by rent control nor just-cause eviction protection from the Tenant Protections Act.

    • Your building is not covered by rent control from the Tenant Protection Act. Fortunately, your building is covered by the just-cause eviction protection! Click here for a list of just-cause reasons for eviction.

      • Your building is covered by rent control from the Tenant Protection Act. However, your building is not covered by the just-cause eviction protection.

      • Great news! Your building is covered by both rent control and just-cause eviction protection from the Tenant Protection Act! Click here for a list of just-cause reasons for eviction.

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