How Does Rent Control
Work for Tenants in Pasadena?
Rent control laws are designed to protect tenants from unreasonable rent increases while ensuring landlords receive a fair return on their properties. In Pasadena, these safeguards come from the Pasadena Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment (Measure H). If you rent in Pasadena, here’s what you need to know about your rights and how rent control works for you.
Under Measure H, most residential properties built before February 1, 1995 are subject to both rent caps and eviction protections. Some units are Fully or Partially Exempt.
- ● Short term housing (occupancy 30 days or less)
- ● Rental Units in any hospital, convent, monastery, extended medical care facility, asylum, non-profit home for the aged; dormitory owned and operated by an accredited institution of higher education, or Rental Units in a facility that has the primary purpose of operating a treatment or recovery program, where such Rental Units are provided incident to a client’s participation in the treatment or recovery program and where the client has been informed in writing of the temporary or transitional nature of the housing at the inception of his or her participation in the program
- ● Rental Units owned or operated or managed by a not-for-profit organization pursuant to a tax credit program;
- ● Rental Units which a government unit, agency or authority owns, operates, or manages, if applicable federal or state law or administrative regulation specifically exempt such units from municipal rent control
- ● Owner-occupied units, which the landlord occupies as their primary residence, where the tenant shares a bathroom or kitchen with the landlord.
- ● Temporary tenancies in a single family home offered by a landlord who occupies the home as their primary tenancy, so long as the landlord providees, in writing at the inception of the tenancy, the length of the tenancy, which cannot last longer than 12 months, and a statement that the tenancy may be terminated and relocation shall not be provided.
- ● To the extent required by state law, Rental Units exempt from rent control pursuant to the Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act (California Civil Code Section 1954.52. et seq.).
- ● Rental Units governed by Pasadena City Code Chapter 17.42, Section 17.42.040 (Inclusionary Housing Requirements) and Chapter 17.43 (Density Bonus, Waivers and Incentives) to the extent permissible by law.
- ● Rental Units leased to tenants assisted under the Section 8 program (42 U.S.C. Section 1437f) or the Continuum of Care Rental Assistance (42 U.S.C. 11381 et. seq.) or similar rent subsidy program where the tenant’s portion of the Rent is determined based on their household income and a specific formula.
For full details on covered and exempt units, see the Landlords FAQs and the complete text of Measure H in the Pasadena Municipal Code, Article XVIII.
Each year by September 1, the Pasadena Rental Housing Board publishes an Annual General Adjustment (AGA)—the maximum rent increase for the upcoming period. To consult the current adjustment visit Pasadena’s Rent Control Overview page.
Before applying the AGA, landlords must ensure that:
- Twelve months have passed since the last rent increase.
- The property is registered and all annual fees are paid.
- There are no outstanding health-and-safety or Rent Stabilization violations.
- Tenants receive at least 30 days’ written notice
- Rent-increase notices include information about Measure H and the tenant’s right to contest the increase.
If you believe your landlord raised rent above the allowable AGA, you can file an unlawful rent petition with the Rent Stabilization Department. Successful petitions may reset your rent to the lawful level and allow you to recover any overpayments.
If your landlord violates Pasadena’s rent control—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 Pasadena’s rent control, 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 Pasadena.
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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