AB 1482 Exemption Notice for Torrance Homes and Condos (2026)
If you own a single-family home or condo in Torrance, it may be exempt from California's statewide rent cap and just cause eviction rules, but only if you meet two conditions: the owner is not a corporation, a REIT, or an LLC with a corporate member, and your tenant has received a specific written exemption notice. Miss the notice, and your rental is treated like any other covered unit. Here is how the AB 1482 exemption notice works and how to check your own lease.
Quick Answer
Two conditions, both required: a non-corporate owner AND a written notice to the tenant using the exact statutory language.
Put it in the lease: for tenancies that began or renewed on or after July 1, 2020, the notice must be in the rental agreement.
No notice means no exemption: without it, your Torrance home or condo is subject to the AB 1482 rent cap and just cause rules.
The cap is real money: for the Los Angeles area, the AB 1482 maximum increase beginning August 1, 2026 is 8.7% (5% plus 3.7% CPI).
Torrance has no local rent control: state law, not a city ordinance, sets the rules for most Torrance rentals.
What AB 1482 Covers in Torrance
The Tenant Protection Act of 2019, known as AB 1482, added two key rules to California law: an annual rent increase cap in Civil Code Section 1947.12 and just cause requirements for ending a tenancy in Section 1946.2. The rent cap limits increases over any 12-month period to 5% plus the change in the cost of living, or 10%, whichever is lower. The law is currently set to remain in effect until January 1, 2030.
Torrance does not have its own rent control ordinance for apartments and houses, so for most Torrance owners AB 1482 is the main rule set. Because Torrance is an incorporated city, the rent stabilization rules for unincorporated Los Angeles County do not apply here. The LA County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs lists the state cap for the Los Angeles area at 8.7% beginning August 1, 2026.
Who Qualifies for the Single-Family Home and Condo Exemption
The exemption applies to residential property that can be sold separately from any other dwelling unit, which typically means a detached single-family home or an individual condo or townhome. According to the statute and the City of Alameda's AB 1482 FAQ, both of the following must be true:
Ownership test: the owner is not a real estate investment trust, not a corporation, and not an LLC in which at least one member is a corporation. Individual owners, and LLCs whose members are all individuals, can qualify.
Notice test: the tenant has been given written notice, using the language in the statute, that the property is exempt.
If your Torrance property has an ADU or a second house on the same lot, the units may not be separately sellable, and the exemption may not fit. That situation deserves a conversation with an attorney.
The Exact Notice Language
California Civil Code Section 1947.12(d)(5) spells out the statement owners must use. It reads:
"This property is not subject to the rent limits imposed by Section 1947.12 of the Civil Code and is not subject to the just cause requirements of Section 1946.2 of the Civil Code. This property meets the requirements of Sections 1947.12 (d)(5) and 1946.2 (e)(8) of the Civil Code and the owner is not any of the following: (1) a real estate investment trust, as defined by Section 856 of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a corporation; or (3) a limited liability company in which at least one member is a corporation."
Copy the language word for word. Paraphrasing it, summarizing it, or relying on a generic "this home is exempt from rent control" line can leave room for a dispute.
Timing: when the notice must be in the lease
Tenancies that began or renewed on or after July 1, 2020: the notice must be provided in the rental agreement itself.
Tenancies that existed before July 1, 2020: the notice could be provided separately and did not have to be in the rental agreement.
What Happens If the Notice Is Missing
As the City of Downey's AB 1482 page puts it, if the owner does not provide the required notice, a single-family home or condo is not exempt. In practice, that means two things for a Torrance owner:
Rent increases are capped: any increase over a 12-month period must stay within the AB 1482 limit, currently 8.7% for the Los Angeles area from August 1, 2026.
Just cause applies: once a tenant qualifies under Section 1946.2, you need an at-fault or no-fault just cause to end the tenancy, and no-fault terminations come with relocation obligations.
Because the statute ties the notice to the rental agreement for newer tenancies, the practical fix is usually a lease addendum or a new lease signed by the tenant. Ask an attorney how that affects your current tenancy before you rely on it for a rent increase or a termination.
Other Exemptions Torrance Owners Should Know
Newer construction: housing built within the last 15 years is exempt on a rolling basis.
Owner-occupied duplex: a two-unit property where the owner lives in the other unit is exempt.
Even exempt properties still follow general California rules. Under Civil Code Section 827, a rent increase of 10% or less needs at least 30 days' written notice, and an increase of more than 10% within 12 months needs at least 90 days' written notice.
A Quick Lease Check for Torrance Owners
Confirm how title is held: individual, trust, LLC, or corporation, and who the LLC members are.
Find the exemption notice in your current lease and compare it word for word with the statute.
Check the tenancy start date and every renewal date since July 1, 2020.
Keep a signed copy of the lease or addendum in your records.
Before your next rent increase, confirm whether the cap applies and which notice period is required.
Why Owners Work with Blue Current Estates
Blue Current Estates Co. is a California-licensed real estate brokerage and property management company (CA DRE #02317199) based in Torrance, led by broker Manabu Kagiyama (DRE #01891208). We review leases, track renewal dates, and prepare rent increase notices with the current rules in mind, and we care for every home as if it were our own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my Torrance single-family home automatically exempt from AB 1482?
No. The exemption requires both a qualifying owner and a written notice to the tenant using the statutory language. Without the notice, the home is covered.
Does an LLC-owned condo qualify for the exemption?
It can, as long as no member of the LLC is a corporation. If any member is a corporation, the exemption does not apply.
Where does the exemption notice have to appear?
For tenancies that began or renewed on or after July 1, 2020, the notice must be in the rental agreement. For tenancies that existed before that date, it could be provided separately.
What is the AB 1482 rent cap in the Los Angeles area for 2026?
Beginning August 1, 2026, the maximum increase is 8.7% (5% plus 3.7% CPI), according to LA County DCBA. The cap can never exceed 10%.
Does Torrance have its own rent control?
No. Torrance does not have a local rent control ordinance for apartments and houses, so state law such as AB 1482 governs most Torrance rentals.
Get a Free Rental Analysis for Your Torrance Property
Not sure whether your lease has the right exemption language, or what rent your home can support? Request a free rental analysis and lease check. Call (310) 243-6564 or email info@bluecurrentco.net.
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm current requirements with an attorney or the relevant city.
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