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In Pricey California, Renters Near Respite From Landlord Gouging

  • Measure would cap rent hikes to 5% plus inflation for 10 years
  • Landlords breathe ‘sigh of relief’ as bill is limited in scope
Homes in Oakland, California.
Homes in Oakland, California.Photographer: Michael Short/Bloomberg

The housing crisis engulfing California has state lawmakers racing to pass bills that would boost construction and stop corporate landlords from egregiously jacking up rents.

The bills overcame key hurdles last week and are due for final votes before the legislature adjourns on Sept. 13. The hardest-fought measure would set a higher standard for evictions and cap annual rent increases at 5% plus the rate of inflation. While that’s below the typical pace of lease hikes -- and the bill has many caveats for landlords -- it would still mark the state’s most significant new protection for tenants in decades.