How Does Rent Control
Work for Tenants in Palm Springs?
Rent control laws are designed to protect tenants from unreasonable rent increases while ensuring landlords earn a fair return on their properties. If you rent in the city of Palm Springs, here’s what you need to know about your rights under Palm Springs’ Rent Control Ordinance.
The Palm Springs Rent Control Ordinance:
- ● Caps annual increases at 75% of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) since the base year of 1979.
- ● Limits rent hikes to once per 12-month period.
- ● Requires landlords to reduce rents if they cut “base year” services (the base year is defined as 1979).
- ● Preserves rent and eviction controls on units continuously occupied since December 17, 1994.
For the full ordinance text, see the Palm Springs Rent Control page and select “Title 4 RENT” under Municipal Code.
The following units are not subject to Palm Springs rent control:
- ● Buildings on which construction began on or after April 1, 1979
- ● Recreational vehicle parking units
- ● Government-owned or subsidized housing
- ● Hotels and transient lodging
- ● Buildings of four units or fewer if the owner occupies one unit as a primary residence
- ● Rents on certain Indian lands
Visit Beverly Hills’ official page to discover how just-cause eviction rules protect tenants and their housing rights.
- ● Base calculation: Each year, landlords may raise rent by up to 75% of the latest CPI (Consumer Price Index) increase
- ● One hike per year: Rent can only go up once in any 12-month span.
- ● Hardship petitions: If the CPI cap doesn’t provide a “fair return,” landlords may file a petition with the Rent Review Commission. Under this process, they can seek increases up to 50% above the unit’s 1979 net operating income.
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.
Before raising rent under the ordinance, landlords must:
- Register the property annually and pay all required fees.
- Provide tenants with the required 90-day written notice for any increase.
- Units not properly registered or in violation may not lawfully impose any rent increase.
Landlord hardship petitions (Cal. Mun. Code § 4.08.060) B. A landlord can file a petition for hardship rent increases, above what is normally allowed. The Palm Springs Rent Review Commission then determines whether they are entitled to increase their rents because they are not making a “fair return” (as defined by the ordinance).
If your landlord violates Palm Springs’ rent control 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 Palm Springs’ rent control 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 Asserting 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 Palm Springs.
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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