San Leadro Joins the Rent Control Bandwagon

On February 2, 2026, the City Council adopted Ordinance No 2026-001, adding Chapter 4-46 to the San Leandro Municipal Code to establish Residential Rent Stabilization.

Top Highlights

• The 3% Cap: Starting January 1, 2027, annual rent increases will be limited to the lower of 3% or 65% of the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

• Until then, San Leandro renters are still protected by the California Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482), which generally limits increases to 5% plus local CPI.

• Base Rent Snapshot: When the law kicks in, the legal "base rent" will be whatever was being charged on July 1, 2025. Any increases after that date must eventually align with the new caps.

• No "Banking": Landlords cannot save up or "bank" unused rent increases from one year to use in another.

• Registration Required: Landlords must register their units with the city and pay a program fee to legally implement any rent increases.

• Fair Return Petitions: Owners who feel the cap prevents them from a "fair return" can petition the city for a one-time adjustment.

• Exemptions include most single-family homes, condos, units built after February 1, 1995, and owner-occupied duplexes (often called "Golden Duplexes”).