New Digital Tool Allows Californians to Calculate Rent Hikes, Check Eligibility for Statewide and Local Protections

TechEquity Collaborative, ACCE launch first interactive calculator to incorporate local rent ordinances across the entirety of California

CALIFORNIA — Today, TechEquity Collaborative and the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) launched the Tenant Protections Rent Calculator. The interactive tool allows California residents to check their eligibility for rent protections and gain insights into their rights in the event of unjust evictions.

Eligibility requirements for rent stabilization and the reasoning behind the increased cost of housing are often unclear and missing pertinent data. Rent increase caps rely on convoluted formulas involving regional CPIs (consumer price index) with effective dates that are inconsistent across jurisdictions. The Tenant Protections Rent Calculator will equip tenants with knowledge of measures applicable to their rent costs and help to establish accountability for enforcing tenant protection laws.

Millions of residents are eligible under California’s Tenant Protection Act of 2019 for protection against rent increases exceeding 10% in a one year or the cost of living by an increase of 5%, whichever is lower. However, recent data revealed that 60% of rental units relisted on Zillow exceeded the rent hike threshold, suggesting price gouging in California. 

“The Tenant Protections Rent Calculator is the most comprehensive anti-gouging rent tool in California. Not only does it equip renters and advocates with the resources and know-how to understand their rights, but it can help to identify shortcomings in current laws and loopholes exploited by bad actors,” said Catherine Bracy, Co-founder and CEO of TechEquity Collaborative. “It is now incumbent on California lawmakers to take action and live up to their promise to protect renters by establishing greater transparency for residents statewide.”

The Rent Calculator addresses the need for more transparency by providing tenants personalized and up-to-date information in addition to connecting them with resources. 

“This is a game-changing tool that is already making a difference for tenants and organizers fighting against illegal rent hikes,” said Leah Simon-Weisberg, Legal Director, ACCE Institute “Now, we are focused on getting this calculator out as widely as possible, especially to low-income renters and communities on the frontlines of the affordable housing crisis.”

TechEquity Collaborative has been a leading voice in the fight against housing injustice. In addition to successfully advocating for the passage of the Tenant Protection Act, TechEquity previously launched the Tech, Bias, and Housing initiative examining potential harms and biases in the housing market through comprehensive research and public policy advocacy. In the last few months alone, the organization has released a first-of-its kind report to analyze the lack of transparency and effectiveness of California’s rent stabilization law, a detailed analysis on how ventured-backed business models are fueling racial disparities in the housing market, and a new paper offering insights into the predatory nature of the rent-to-own industry, and recommendations to prevent exploitative practices.

About TechEquity Collaborative

We envision a world where the growth of the tech industry creates economic prosperity for everyone, and where tech sector employees and companies are engaged and active participants in making our economy equitable. Our mission is to mobilize tech workers and companies to address economic inequities in tech and as a result of tech. We educate the tech community on economic justice, advocate for bold public policy, and develop equitable corporate practices that build equity and opportunity in the broader economy.

About ACCE

The mission of the ACCE Institute is to improve the lives of California’s traditionally underserved residents, including communities of color, low-income and working families, and the undocumented population, by carrying out work that fosters deep, indigenous leadership development, policy creation, robust civic participation, and broad community empowerment.