Baldwin Park, CA Rental Property Rules: Rent Increase Notice (2026)
Key Facts
- Certification required
- In every rent increase notice
- Statement covers
- No uncorrected housing/health/safety violations
- If omitted
- Tenant may refuse the increase
- Also usable as
- Affirmative defense in eviction case
- Linked requirement
- Registration fee current (§ 117.15)
Summary
Before raising rent on a controlled unit, a Baldwin Park landlord must include a specific certification in the increase notice stating the unit carries no uncorrected housing, health, or safety violations. Skipping that language lets the tenant refuse to pay the increase and use it as a defense in an eviction case.
No landlord shall increase rent unless the notice increasing rent contains a statement in substantially the following form: "The undersigned (landlord) certifies that this unit and common areas are not subject to any uncorrected citation or notices of violation of any state or local housing health, or safety laws issued by any government official or agency." If a landlord fails to comply with this division, the tenant may refuse to pay the improperly noticed increase, may seek administrative or civil remedies under this chapter, and may raise the landlord's noncompliance as an affirmative defense in any resulting unlawful detainer action.
Full Breakdown
07 bars a landlord from raising rent at all if the landlord has not complied with the chapter, including paying registration fees and penalties, or has not substantially complied with applicable state or local housing, health, or safety law. To raise rent lawfully, the increase notice itself must contain a statement in substantially this form: a certification that the unit and common areas are not subject to any uncorrected citation or notice of violation of state or local housing, health, or safety laws issued by any government official or agency.
07(B) gives the tenant three specific options: refuse to pay the improperly noticed increase, pursue administrative or civil remedies available under Chapter 117, or raise the landlord's noncompliance as an affirmative defense if the landlord later files an unlawful detainer action to remove the tenant. 20, which let a tenant recover damages and, for willful violations, treble damages through either a civil action or an administrative complaint before the city.
Violations & Fines
A rent increase served without the required certification is treated as improperly noticed: the tenant may withhold the increased amount, file a civil action for damages plus attorney's fees, or bring an administrative complaint under § 117.20(B). A landlord who demands rent above the lawful ceiling faces treble damages under § 117.20(A)(1) if the overcharge is shown to be willful, oppressive, fraudulent, or malicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly must a Baldwin Park rent increase notice say?
Can I refuse to pay a rent increase that skipped the required certification?
Does an outstanding code violation block a rent increase even with proper notice language?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Baldwin Park
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Rent Increase Notice in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle rent increase notice.