How much could Measure PFD increase your rent?
Measure PFD could add to a rental property owner’s costs, but it would not automatically raise your rent. PFD would be a property tax, not a separate tax bill sent to tenants. Whether your rent could increase depends on your rental agreement and the rules that cover your home.
Check what applies to your rental
Would tenants receive a PFD tax bill?
No. The proposed charge would apply to taxable property, with collection through property-tax procedures. It would charge $0.19 per taxable square foot of building area each year, before exemptions. The owner’s tax cost is separate from what a tenant legally owes in rent.
Could my landlord raise my rent because of PFD?
A higher property-tax bill would not, by itself, authorize a matching rent increase. Any increase would still have to comply with applicable rent rules, notice requirements, and your rental agreement.
For covered rentals, Pasadena has a petition process through which landlords can request an upward rent adjustment for a fair rate of return. Property-tax changes can be part of that review. Filing a petition is not the same as receiving approval.
PFD does not set a per-tenant surcharge or a formula for increasing rents. If you receive a notice citing PFD, ask for a written explanation of the charge and have a housing counselor help you check it.
Does Pasadena rent control cover my home?
Pasadena’s local rent limits generally cover multi-unit residential rental properties built before February 1, 1995, with exceptions. Coverage can depend on the property and unit, so confirm your situation before relying on a general rule.
Other protections may apply even if your home is outside local rent limits. Ask a housing counselor about state law, eviction protections, and the current rules for your tenancy.
How does the rent estimate work?
Annual increase = taxable building square feet × $0.19. Divide by 12 for the monthly amount. For 1,200 square feet, that is $228 a year or $19 a month if the full tax is passed on, before exemptions.
The result covers the space you enter. If you enter an entire apartment building, it shows the building-wide cost, not one tenant’s share. Whether your landlord can increase your rent still depends on rental rules and your agreement.
What should I do if I receive a rent-increase notice?
Keep the notice and ask a housing counselor to help you review it. Have your lease, current rent, previous increase notices, and any explanation of a new fee ready. Ask which rules cover your unit, whether the amount and timing are allowed, and whether any claimed rent-adjustment approval actually covers your tenancy.
Sources: Measure PFD proposed ordinance; Pasadena rent stabilization overview; Pasadena rent adjustment petitions and hearings. Reviewed October 27, 2026.