How Does Rent Control
Work for Tenants in Beverly Hills?
Rent control in Beverly Hills protects renters from steep rent hikes and arbitrary evictions. If you’re renting a unit in a multi-family building here, understanding your rights under the City’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) is key. This page breaks down:
- What properties are covered;
- How rent increases are calculated;
- Just-cause eviction grounds;
- Relocation assistance;
- Registration and notice requirements; and
- Statewide protections under AB 1482.
The RSO applies to most residential rental properties with two or more units in Beverly Hills—regardless of building age—except for:
- ● Single-family homes and most condos.
- ● Units in buildings for which a certificate of occupancy issued after February 1, 1995
- ● Hotels, motels, inns, and rooming houses rented for a period of no more than 30 consecutive days
- ● Non-profit cooperatives that are majority owned and controlled by the tenants.
- ● Units that are owned, operated, or managed by a government agency
Landlords must register each covered unit annually and report current rents to the City’s online registry.
Regulated Rent Increases
- ● Frequency of Rent Increase: Only one rent increase is allowed every 12 months.
- ● Maximum Rent Increase:
- – Chapter 5 units (built before Sept. 20, 1978 with original rents ≤$600): eight (8)% or the CPI as of the date of the notice of increase, computed pursuant to Beverly Hills Municipal Code Section 4-5-303(A), whichever is less.
- – Chapter 6 units (all other rent-controlled units): Three (3)%, or the percentage equal to (CPI) Consumer Price Index for the Los Angeles/Riverside/Orange County Area, for the previous year, whichever is greater.
● Notice: A 30-day written notice is required for any rent increase.
Under the RSO, landlords may evict covered tenants only for the specified “just cause” grounds. Key categories include:
- ● At-fault causes: non-payment of rent; lease violations; nuisances; illegal activity
- ● No-fault causes: owner or manager move-in; substantial rehabilitation; demolition or condo conversion; withdrawal from the rental market.
Some no-fault evictions require relocation fees or allow market-rate resets for incoming tenants.
Visit Beverly Hills’ official page to discover how just-cause eviction rules protect tenants and their housing rights.
When a no-fault eviction triggers relocation fees, landlords must pay tenants based on unit size, adjusted annually. Units occupied by tenants 62 or older, or who are disabled, or a minor, are entitled to an additional $2,000 in relocation fees.
- ● Annual Registration: Owners must register each covered unit under the RSO.
- ● Tenant Notices: Before any rent increase or eviction, landlords must provide prior notice in conformity with the RSO.
If your landlord violates Beverly Hills’ rent stabilization ordinance—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 Beverly Hills’ 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 Beverly Hills.
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.
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