How Does Rent Control
Work for Tenants in Hayward?
Rent control in Hayward provides stability and protection for renters in a city where housing costs continue to rise. As the population grows and the demand for affordable housing increases, Hayward’s Residential Rent Stabilization Ordinance plays a critical role in preventing sharp rent hikes and unfair evictions.
This guide explains who is covered, how rent increases work, and what legal options are available to tenants.
Visit Hayward’s Municipal Code to learn more about the Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
Hayward’s Residential Rent Stabilization Ordinance establishes key policies to protect tenants. Under the ordinance, rent increases for most rental units are limited to a maximum of 5% annually. Additionally, rent increases can only occur once within a 12-month period. This limitation ensures that tenants have predictability in their housing costs.
The ordinance primarily applies to multi-unit residential properties, but some types of housing are exempt:
- Several categories of Units do not qualify for rent control (as outlined in Sec. 12-1.04 of the ordinance) including, but not limited to, the following:
- Units with a certificate of occupancy first issued after July 1, 1979;
- Most single family homes, condos, and townhomes;
- ADUs, where the landlord occupies the Primary Residence on the property; and
- Government-subsidized low-income housing.
Rent increases above the annual limit are permitted if there are significant capital improvements made to the property, if the landlord has previously banked (as in, reserved, but not imposed) a permissible rent, or if the landlord can prove that an above-limit increase is necessary to receive a “fair return” on the property.
If your landlord violates Hayward’s rent stabilization ordinance or eviction protection laws—or engages in certain types of harassment or unlawful behavior—you may be entitled to the following legal remedies:
- Treble Damages: Under California Civil Code § 1940.2 (for covered tenants), tenants can recover up to three times actual damages if the landlord’s conduct is willful, such as harassment, illegal eviction attempts, or utility shutoffs. Local city ordinances may permit greater or lesser damages, for covered tenants.
- Compensatory Damages: This includes financial losses (e.g., rent overcharges, relocation expenses) and emotional distress, especially in cases involving harassment, unsafe living conditions, or sudden displacement.
- Attorney’s Fees: Tenants who prevail in court may be awarded their legal fees, making it easier to pursue justice.
- Injunctive Relief: Courts can order landlords to stop unlawful actions and comply with local housing protections.
These remedies are designed to protect renters and hold landlords accountable for violating tenant rights.
If your unit does not qualify under Hayward’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance, you may be covered by the California Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which caps rent increases at 5% plus CPI or 10%, whichever is less, and provides just cause eviction protections for certain properties.
Learn more about your rights by visiting our California Tenant Protection Act of 2019 guide.
Need Help Navigating Your Rights?
If you’re facing a rent increase, illegal eviction, landlord harassment, or other landlord-tenant issues, Tenant Law Group is ready to support you. As California’s leading tenant rights law firm, we specialize in defending renters and ensuring their rights are upheld. Protect your housing rights with expert guidance. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to learn more about your tenant rights in Hayward.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant laws in California and is not intended as legal advice. We encourage you to consult with a qualified tenant attorney or local tenant advocacy organization for guidance specific to your situation.
Call one of Tenant Law Group's Intake Specialists
Get help right away.
(415) 801-8878
Intake@tenantlawgroupsf.com
Fill out our Online Intake Form to Get Started Now
Providing us with some basic information on this form will make it easier to determine what type of help we could potentially offer you.
Stay Informed on Tenant Rights
Explore our blog for the latest news and tips on tenant rights.