Is your rent too high? Lets find out.

California tenants, do you know if your landlord is rent-gouging? Here’s a handy guide to using the Tenant Protections Calculator.
December 2, 2024

Millions of California renters are eligible for local rent control and/or statewide rent stabilization under the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482). But between inadequate documentation and complicated calculations, how can you know what protections you’re covered by?

That’s why we developed the most comprehensive anti-gouging rent calculator in California: TenantProtections.org

In just under five minutes, renters can now take a quick protections quiz and use a rent increase calculator to understand what protections they’re eligible for and which laws their landlord may have violated. This tool was made possible by an amazing team of civic tech volunteers.

How do you use TenantProtections.org?

First, you take the Tenant Protections Quiz. Using factors like location and building type, this quiz helps renters determine which state and local laws apply to them. Unfortunately, not all cities in California have local rent control—especially as local tenant protections are limited by the Costa-Hawkins Act.

If you qualify for any protections, you can then move on to the Rent Calculator to determine if your landlord is illegally raising your rent.

Our Rent Calculator factors in all of the protections you are eligible for on a state and local level. In fact, it’s the most comprehensive rent-gouging calculator in California.

You just put in information like your zip code, your previous rent, and your new rent, and the calculator does the rest of the work for you!

If it turns out that your rights are being violated, we then have a page of resources for you that includes explainer pages on your rights and ways to secure legal help.

Help strengthen renter protections!

Have you been the victim of rent-gouging? Has technology been involved? At TechEquity, stories of real people shape our work. By sharing your experience as a renter who has struggled to secure affordable and stable housing in part because of tech’s impact, you help lawmakers and the public understand what change needs to happen. Consider sharing your story today.