Earlier this month, Santa Barbara County renters may have received a 30-day notice that the cost of their rent would be increasing.
The statewide Tenant Protection Act, which passed in 2019, limits how much landlords can increase rent each year.
Landlords can’t raise rent more than 10%, or 5% plus the percentage change in the cost of living — whichever is lower — over a 12-month period.
As of Aug. 1, the rental increase cap in Santa Barbara is 8.8%, last year the cap was 9.2%.
The percentage change in the cost of living is found through the Consumer Price Index by the Department of Industrial Relations.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes the CPI for major metropolitan area such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego, but the California Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers is published by the Department of Industrial Relations.
In April, the California Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers was 3.8%. Add 5% and there’s the 8.8% rental increase cap. It will remain in effect until August 2025.
The law does not apply to most residential rentals except for housing built within the past 15 years. Renters in newer buildings may be subject to a higher increase by their landlords, according to the state.
In January, the Santa Barbara City Council adopted a tenant protection ordinance. It gives tenants the first right of refusal after their landlord renovates the property, but there is no limit on how much they can raise rent after renovations. Tenants and advocates wanted a 10% cap.
This year has seen other legal changes for landlords and tenants.
On July 1, it became law that landlords could charge security deposits only equal to one month’s worth of rent. There is an exception for small-property owners who have no more than two rental properties, with a total of four units.
County resources for residential landlords can be found here.
If renters think their landlord is increasing rent more than what is allowed, they can contact the Santa Barbara City Rental Housing Mediation Program by calling 805.564.5420. The program provides mediation for Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria residents. Landlords also can reach out for mediation or questions.
Renters also can contact the Santa Barbara Tenants Union by calling 805.765.2831 or attend the Tenant Help Desk at 6 p.m. on Thursdays on Zoom.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly calculated the rental increase using Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers. The correct amount is 8.8%.
