How rent increase caps work in the United States
There is no nationwide limit on how much residential rent can go up. Rent stabilization and rent control exist only in specific states and cities, so the first question is always whether any cap applies where the unit is located. Enter the current rent, the cap that applies to you, any local CPI adjustment and the date of the last increase, and this tool shows the maximum increase, the maximum new rent and when the next increase is allowed.
California's Tenant Protection Act, codified at Cal. Civ. Code ยง1947.12, limits annual increases for covered units to 5% plus the regional change in the consumer price index, or 10%, whichever is lower, and exempts many newer buildings and single-family homes. In New York City, the Rent Guidelines Board sets the permitted percentage each year for rent-stabilized apartments only. Oregon and a handful of other jurisdictions have their own formulas. Everywhere else the lease terms and the state's advance-notice rule control. Rules are described as of September 2026 and change frequently, so confirm the current ordinance with your local rent board.
Even where no cap applies, most states require written notice before an increase takes effect, and increases made in retaliation or in a discriminatory way remain unlawful. This calculator is for reference only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney or your local rent board about your specific situation.
Frequently asked questions
That ceiling mirrors the California formula, where 5% plus CPI can never exceed 10%. If your jurisdiction has no such ceiling, enter the full percentage in the cap field and leave the CPI field at zero.
No. Statutes that do impose caps usually exempt newer construction, owner-occupied small buildings and some single-family homes, so check the exemption list before relying on a number.