Unused increases can be saved, but one raise can't pass 10%.
Why, and the exact law
From Hayward Residential Rent Stabilization Ordinance No. 16-19, § 3, read Oct 4, 2026.Show the law
“(a) Except as provided hereinafter, from and after April 1, 1987, the rent payable for use
or occupancy of any rental unit shall not be increased more than five percent (5%) per annum and
shall not be increased more than once in any twelve (12) month period …”
Newer buildings and many houses follow California's limit instead: 5% plus local inflation, never more than 10% a year. In the San Francisco Bay Area that is 8.8% until Jul 31, 2027. Your address tells us which one applies.
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Unused increases can be saved, but one raise can't pass 10%.
Depends on the year the building was built or the number of units.
Who it covers
Buildings with a first certificate of occupancy on or before Jul 1, 1979.
Buildings with 2 or more units.
Covers: Units in buildings with a certificate of occupancy first issued on or before July 1, 1979, held among 5+ units under common ownership in Hayward.
Exemptions: Post-July 1, 1979 certificate of occupancy; hospitals, dormitories; publicly financed units under other rent controls; hotels/motels; nonprofit cooperatives; mobilehomes; separately alienable units (Civ. Code § 1954.52); vacancy-decontrolled units.
In force since
Apr 1, 1987
Enacted
Jul 19, 2016
The law, word for word
“(a) Except as provided hereinafter, from and after April 1, 1987, the rent payable for use
or occupancy of any rental unit shall not be increased more than five percent (5%) per annum and
shall not be increased more than once in any twelve (12) month period …”
For most older rentals, yes: max 5% plus inflation (never over 10%).
The cap follows local inflation (April to April) and resets each August 1.
Depends on the year the building was built.
Who it covers
Not buildings less than 15 years old.
Not owner-occupied buildings with 2 units or fewer.
Covers: Residential real property generally, unless exempt.
Exemptions: Deed-restricted/subsidized affordable housing; dormitories; housing under stricter local rent control; CO issued within previous 15 years; certain separately alienable properties (single-family homes, condos) with non-corporate owners and written notice; owner-occupied duplexes.
In force since
Mar 15, 2019
Current version since
Apr 1, 2024
Set to be repealed
Jan 1, 2030
The law, word for word
“an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower …”