How Does Rent Control
Work for Tenants in Culver City?
Navigating the rental market in Culver City can feel daunting, especially without the guidance of an experienced tenant lawyer in Culver City. Fortunately, the City’s permanent Rent Control and Tenant Protections Ordinances—enacted September 29, 2020, and effective October 30, 2020—provide key safeguards for tenants in most multi-unit properties. Here’s everything you need to know about how rent control works for tenants in Culver City.
Covered Rental Units
- ● Any dwelling used for human habitation (including mobile homes and ADUs) that is not otherwise exempt under the Culver City Municipal Code, State, or Federal law.
Exemptions (CCMC § 15.09.210) include:
- ● Units with a certificate of occupancy issued after February 1, 1995
- ● Single-family homes, condos, townhomes (alienable separate units) owned by landlords who own no more than two rental units and who are not a real estate investment trust, as defined in § 856 of the Internal Revenue Code; (ii) a corporation; (iii) a limited liability company in which at least one member is, or is controlled by, a corporation; or (iv) a partnership in which at least one partner is, or is controlled by, a corporation.
- ● Housing receiving federal, state, or local subsidies (e.g., Section 8)
- ● A unit that is a subdivided interest in a subdivision, as specified in Cal. Business and Professions Code § 11004.5(b), (d) and (f)
Under CCMC § 15.09.215, landlords may raise rent once every 12 months by up to the percentage change in CPI, subject to:
- 5% cap per year, even if CPI exceeds 5%.
- 2% floor if CPI change is below 2%.
- Vacancy decontrol: upon voluntary vacancy or certain no-fault terminations, initial rent may reset to market rate.
Visit Culver City’s Rent Control and Tenant Protections website for the latest allowable rent increase information.
Culver City’s Tenant Protections Ordinance (Subchapter 15.09.300) requires landlords to state a valid “just cause” consistent with Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2 (and subject to the same exemptions, meaning not all Culver City units are covered), including:
- ● At-fault just cause: including, but not limited to, non-payment of rent; lease violations; nuisance or illegal activity.
- ● No-fault just cause: owner or family move-in; substantial rehabilitation/renovation; demolition; withdrawal from rental market; compliance with governmental order.
Landlords must register each covered unit annually through the City’s Rental Unit Registration Portal and pay the applicable fee.
If your landlord violates Culver City’s rent control 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 Culver City’s Rent Control and Tenant Protections Ordinances, 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 Culver City.
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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