Rent Cap Ledger

Hayward · City ordinance

What's the maximum rent increase in Hayward for 2026?

5%

Official figure · checked Oct 18, 2026

In Hayward, a landlord may raise a covered unit's rent once in any 12-month period by 5% or less of the current rent.

In effect
Ongoing (fixed by ordinance, once per 12 months)
Next change
No fixed date
Set by
City of Hayward Housing Division · City ordinance
Last checked
October 18, 2026

Where 5% sits

A fixed limit: one increase of 5% or less of current rent in any 12-month period.

Residential Rent Stabilization Ordinance5%

§ 1 · The formula

How the Hayward cap is calculated

Fixed 5% per 12 months

Fixed by ordinance: 5% of current rent once in any 12-month period. Unused increases since 2018 can be banked, but the total can't exceed 10% in a year (per the Attorney General's chart). Capital-improvement pass-throughs and fair-return petitions are separate.

Law: Hayward Residential Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protection Ordinance (Mun. Code art. 12-1).

§ 2 · Coverage

Who it covers, and who's exempt

Covered

  • Units with certificates of occupancy issued before July 1, 1979 (per the Attorney General's chart)

Main exemptions & conditions

  • Newer units and those exempt under state law
  • After a landlord-initiated termination the rent can rise only 5% for the next tenant

§ 3 · Timing

Notice, and when it changes next

Notice: Not stated on the page we track; state law generally requires 30 days' notice for increases of 10% or less.

Next change: No scheduled change: the 5% limit is fixed by ordinance.

§ 4 · Sources

Official sources

  1. City of Hayward · headline figure Information for Landlords ↗
    “Annual rent increase: A landlord may increase a tenant’s rent once in a 12-month period by 5% or less of the tenant’s current rent;”
    Last checked October 18, 2026 · hayward-ca.gov
  2. California Legislative Information · notice Civil Code § 827 (notice of rent increase) ↗
    “the notice shall be delivered at least 30 days before the effective date of the increase”
    Last checked October 18, 2026 · leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  3. State of California, Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General · coverage (Attorney General's chart) Limits on Rent Increases ↗
    “For units with certificates of occupancy issued before 7/1/79, one increase within a 12-month period of up to 5%.”
    Last checked October 17, 2026 · oag.ca.gov

See something out of date? The methodology page explains how we check figures.

§ 5 · Questions

Frequently asked

What is the maximum rent increase in Hayward for 2026?

In Hayward, a landlord may raise a covered unit's rent once in any 12-month period by 5% or less of the current rent.

How is the Hayward rent cap calculated?

Fixed by ordinance: 5% of current rent once in any 12-month period. Unused increases since 2018 can be banked, but the total can't exceed 10% in a year (per the Attorney General's chart). Capital-improvement pass-throughs and fair-return petitions are separate.

Which rentals are exempt from the Hayward cap?

Newer units and those exempt under state law. After a landlord-initiated termination the rent can rise only 5% for the next tenant.

When does the Hayward rent cap change next?

No scheduled change: the 5% limit is fixed by ordinance.

Where does this Hayward figure come from?

From City of Hayward: “Information for Landlords”, which we last checked on October 18, 2026. Always confirm with the agency before relying on it.

Same state

Other caps in California

Elsewhere

Other jurisdictions