Rental Property Rules in Los Angeles, CA (2026)
16 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
The LA Rent Stabilization Ordinance (LAMC Chapter XV) covers buildings with 2+ units built before October 1, 1978, approximately 650,000 units or 70% of rentals. Annual rent increases are tied to CPI, currently 3% (July 2025-June 2026). Effective Feb 2026, the formula changes to 90% of CPI with a 1%-4% range and no utility surcharges. Single-family homes are exempt.
Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance
Heavy RestrictionsJust Cause Eviction
RSO units require just cause for eviction under LAMC 151.09. Permitted causes include nonpayment of rent, lease violations, nuisance, and owner move-in. No-fault evictions (owner move-in, Ellis Act withdrawal, demolition) require relocation assistance payments. All termination notices must be filed with LAHD within 3 business days of service. CA AB 1482 extends just-cause protections statewide for non-RSO units built 15+ years ago.
Los Angeles Just Cause Eviction Protections
Heavy RestrictionsRental 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
Heavy 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
Heavy 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
Some 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...
Cash-for-Keys Agreements
Cash-for-keys deals in Los Angeles are regulated by the Tenant Buyout Notification Program. Landlords must serve a written disclosure, allow a 30-day rescission period, and file the executed agreement with LAHD within 60 days.
Tenant Buyout Agreements Must Be Filed With LAHD
Heavy RestrictionsNo-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
Heavy 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
Heavy 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 ...
Right of Return
Tenants displaced by a substantial remodel or who never see the promised owner move-in have a statutory right to return to the unit at the original rent. LAMC §47.50 and §151.30(F) codify the right and the notices.
Displaced Tenants Have a Right to Return at Original Rent
Heavy RestrictionsAB-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
Some 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...
Eviction Moratorium History
Los Angeles enacted a sweeping COVID-19 emergency eviction moratorium under LAMC §49.99 in March 2020. Non-payment protections sunset January 31, 2024, and many tenant safeguards rolled into the permanent Just Cause framework at LAMC §151.30.
COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Sunset and Permanent Reforms
Some RestrictionsCouncil District Preference
The Los Angeles Affordable Housing Preference Policy under LAMC §49.95 prioritizes current Council District residents and people displaced from the area for affordable units in mixed-income developments. Lottery preferences are layered to comply with HUD fair-housing rules.
Affordable Units Give Priority to Council District Residents
Some RestrictionsJust Cause Appeal Process
Tenants and landlords may appeal Just Cause eviction determinations to a LAHD administrative hearing officer under LAMC §151.30(B). The filing window is 30 days from the contested action and the hearing follows due-process rules for evidence and witnesses.
Just Cause Eviction Appeals Heard by LAHD Hearing Officer
Some RestrictionsLooking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Los Angeles city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Los Angeles County →