RSTPO landlords in unincorporated LA County may pass through approved capital improvement, utility, and registration costs only with DCBA approval. Capital improvements are split 50/50 with the tenant, and monthly add-ons are capped.
Title 8.52.070 of the LA County Code allows landlords to petition DCBA to pass through 50 percent of approved capital improvement costs, amortized over the asset's useful life and capped at a monthly dollar limit. Annual recovery of 50 percent of the registration fee is permitted as a separate billed surcharge under the rent program rules. Utility pass-throughs for changes from owner-paid to tenant-paid utilities require a DCBA-approved adjustment under §8.52.070. Pass-throughs must be itemized on the rent bill, never folded into base rent, and removed once the amortization period ends. Hidden or unapproved charges are treated as excess rent and recoverable by the tenant.
Unapproved or concealed pass-throughs are excess rent recoverable by the tenant, exposing the landlord to RSTPO penalties of up to three times the overcharge plus DCBA enforcement fines.
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See how Los Angeles County's pass-through charges rules stack up against other locations.
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