Rental Property Rules in Los Angeles, CA (2026)
12 verified rental property rules for Los Angeles, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Los Angeles's Rent Stabilization Ordinance makes it unlawful to charge more than the maximum adjusted rent on covered units, and limits the annual automatic increase to 90% of the CPI change for the LA-Long Beach-Anaheim area, with a 1% floor and a hard 4% ceiling under LAMC § 151.06.D.
Los Angeles Rent Control Caps Increases at 4%
Significant RestrictionsLos Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) §§ 151.04.A, 151.06.D
A. It shall be unlawful for any landlord to demand, accept or retain more than the maximum adjusted rent permitted pursuant to this chapter or regulation or orders adopted pursuant to this chapter. ... D. (Amended by Ord. No. 188,795, Eff. 2/2/26.) The maximum rent or maximum adjusted rent may be increased annually based on 90 percent of the difference between the average of the Consumer Pric...
Just Cause Eviction
Los Angeles's Rent Stabilization Ordinance limits landlords to 14 specific just-cause grounds for evicting tenants, covering both fault-based and no-fault reasons. No-fault evictions (owner move-in, demolition, government order, withdrawal from rental use) require paying relocation fees to displaced tenants.
Rental Property: Just Cause Eviction
Significant RestrictionsLos Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) § 151.09 A.
A. A landlord may bring an action to recover possession of a rental unit only upon one of the following grounds: 1. The tenant has failed to pay rent to which the landlord is entitled; provided, however, that the landlord's right to evict a tenant lawfully in possession of residential housing under this subdivision is limited to defaults in payment where the amount due exceeds one month ...
Rental Registration
All RSO properties must be registered with the LA Housing Department (LAHD). Landlords pay an annual RSO registration fee per unit. LAHD maintains a searchable database of RSO properties. Landlords must file rent increase notices and eviction notices with LAHD. Failure to register can result in inability to collect rent increases and administrative penalties.
Los Angeles Rental Property Registration
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Sec. 1947.12 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019 — Statewide Rent Cap)
1947.12. (a) (1) Subject to subdivision (b), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months pri...
Relocation Assistance
Landlords ending a tenancy for no-fault reasons in Los Angeles must pay tiered relocation assistance to the household. Amounts are set by LAHD and adjusted annually, ranging roughly $10,250 to $25,650 plus a moving fee.
Relocation Assistance Owed for No-Fault Evictions
Significant RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Sec. 1946.2 (Tenant Protection Act — Just Cause & Relocation Assistance for No-Fault Evictions)
1946.2. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, after a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a residential real property for 12 months, the owner of the residential real property shall not terminate a tenancy without just cause, which shall be stated in the written notice to terminate tenancy. If any additional adult tenants are added to the lease before an existing tenant has continuously ...
Security Deposit Rules
California Civil Code §1950.5, amended by AB-12 effective July 2024, caps residential security deposits at one month's rent for most landlords. Los Angeles follows state law without adding a local cap or registration requirement.
Security Deposits Capped at One Month's Rent
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code § 1950.5
(a) This section applies to security for a rental agreement for residential property that is used as the dwelling of the tenant. (b) As used in this section, “security” means any payment, fee, deposit, or charge, including, but not limited to, any payment, fee, deposit, or charge, except as provided in Section 1950.6, that is imposed at the beginning of the tenancy to be used to reimburse the l...
No-Fault Evictions
Under LAMC §151.30 Just Cause, a landlord may end a tenancy without tenant fault only for owner move-in, Ellis Act withdrawal, demolition or permanent removal, substantial remodel, or government order. Each path requires notices and relocation pay.
No-Fault Evictions Limited to Five Statutory Grounds
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Sec. 1946.2 (Tenant Protection Act — Just Cause Eviction Standards)
1946.2. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, after a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a residential real property for 12 months, the owner of the residential real property shall not terminate a tenancy without just cause, which shall be stated in the written notice to terminate tenancy. If any additional adult tenants are added to the lease before an existing tenant has continuously ...
Pass-Through Charges
RSO landlords in Los Angeles may pass through certain capital improvement, capital expenditure, and registration costs to tenants only with LAHD approval. Capital improvements are split 50/50 with the tenant, and monthly add-ons are capped.
Capital Improvement and Surcharge Pass-Throughs Tightly Capped
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Sec. 1947.12 (Tenant Protection Act — Rent Cap Limits Pass-Through Increases)
1947.12. (a) (1) Subject to subdivision (b), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months pri...
Tenant Anti-Harassment
Los Angeles bans a long list of landlord harassment tactics under the Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance (TAHO). Civil penalties run from $2,000 to $10,000 per violation, and tenants have a private right of action with treble damages.
Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance Bans Landlord Coercion
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Sec. 1940.2 (Prohibited Landlord Acts — Statewide Tenant Anti-Harassment)
1940.2. (a) It is unlawful for a landlord to do any of the following for the purpose of influencing a tenant to vacate a dwelling: (1) Engage in conduct that violates subdivision (a) of Section 484 of the Penal Code. (2) Engage in conduct that violates Section 518 of the Penal Code. (3) Use, or threaten to use, force, willful threats, or menacing conduct constituting a course of conduct that in...
Source-of-Income Discrimination
California Government Code §12955 and Los Angeles housing law prohibit landlords from refusing tenants because their rent comes from a Section 8 voucher, SSI, veterans benefits, or other lawful source. The Civil Rights Department and LAHD enforce.
Source-of-Income Discrimination Banned in Rental Decisions
Significant RestrictionsCalifornia Government Code § 12955
It shall be unlawful: (a) For the owner of any housing accommodation to discriminate against or harass any person because of the race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income, disability, veteran or military status, or genetic information of that person. (b) For the owner o...
Section 8 Voucher Acceptance
The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) runs the Housing Choice Voucher program. Landlords sign a HUD lease addendum, pass an HQS inspection, and accept a rent-reasonableness determination before HACLA pays its share monthly.
Section 8 Vouchers Administered by HACLA With HUD Standards
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Government Code Sec. 12955 (FEHA — "Source of Income" Includes Section 8 Vouchers)
12955. It shall be unlawful: (a) For the owner of any housing accommodation to discriminate against or harass any person because of the race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income, disability, veteran or military status, or genetic information of that person. (b) For the ...
AB-1482 Notice Disclosure
California Civil Code §1946.2 and §1947.12 (AB-1482) cap annual rent increases at 5 percent plus regional CPI, max 10 percent, and require a written disclosure of tenant rights to be given at lease signing or by month-thirteen.
AB-1482 Notice of Rent Cap and Just Cause Required
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code § 1946.2
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, after a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a residential real property for 12 months, the owner of the residential real property shall not terminate a tenancy without just cause, which shall be stated in the written notice to terminate tenancy. If any additional adult tenants are added to the lease before an existing tenant has continuously and lawf...
Repairs & Habitability
Los Angeles defines a 'habitability violation' as any violation of California Civil Code § 1941.1 or the loss of elevators, security gates, or air conditioners that were provided when the tenant moved in. The Housing Department conducts periodic inspections of covered rental properties once every four years and enforces compliance through orders, rent reductions, and the Rent Escrow Account Program (REAP).
Rental Inspections: Habitability Standards
Some RestrictionsLos Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) § 153.02 (Habitability Violation); § 161.602 A. (Periodic Inspections); § 161.352 A. (Inspection Fees)
Habitability Violation. Any violation of Section 1941.1 of the California Civil Code, or a reduction or elimination of the following services if contracted for by the tenant, or if provided to the tenant at the time the tenant moves into their rental unit: elevators, security gates, and air conditioners. [LAMC § 153.02] SEC. 161.602. PERIODIC INSPECTIONS. A. Frequency of Periodic Inspecti...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Los Angeles city rules.
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