Los Angeles County
Rent Control
& Tenant Rules

Unincorporated LA County

For rental units built before October 1, 1978.

More info on Unincorporated LA County Rent Control Ordinances:
One-Pager
Website

How rent control &
tenant rules affect you

Whether you are renting out your property to a tenant or are a renter, you can find resources on what the rent increase process is like, pass-throughs and surcharges, security and move-in transactions, legal assistance, and vacancy and eviction issues.

Resources

Enforcement Agency:

Los Angeles County Rent Stabilization Program

Rent@dcba.lacounty.gov
(833) 223-7368

Section 8 Assistance:

Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA)

Public_Liason@lacda.org
(626) 262-4510

County
Resources:

LA County Consumer Business Affairs

rent@dcba.lacounty.gov
(833) 223-7368

Rent Control

Any Rent Cap? Yes, the maximum rent increase allowed is 8%.
Current Maximum Rent Increase?

8.52.050
Yes, currently:

  • General: 2.565%
  • Small Property:
  • Landlord: 3.565%
  • Luxury Units: 4.565
Rent Increase Process

The maximum Rent increase will be reflected by the CPI.

Max rent increase:

  • 8% or higher CPI has a max rent increase of 8%.
  • 3-8% CPI increase will equal the change in CPI.
  • 1-3% CPI increase will be a 3% increase.
  • -2 - 1% CPI will be change in CPI plus 2%.
  • -2% CPI no rent increase is permitted.
Rent Adjustments A Landlord who believes they are not receiving a fair and reasonable return from the allowable increases for a Fully Covered Rental Unit, may file an Application for Rent Increase with the Department.
Pass-through and Surcharge definition
  • A pass-through is when the landlord passes on specific operating costs to the tenant as part of their rent.
  • A Landlord may file an application with the Department, on a form approved by the Department, to pass-through costs to Tenant in a Fully Covered Rental Unit.
  • A surcharge is a general term for any additional charge added on top of the base price, which could include passthrough costs but also other fees.
Registration Fee Pass-through A landlord may collect up to 50% spread out equally within 12 months.
Capital Improvements Pass through
  • A landlord may recover 50% of any substantial repairs, replacements, or additions to rental units or common areas that increase the building’s value, extends its life, or adapt it for new uses if the improvement meets procedures and guidelines.
  • These must be for the primary benefit for the tenant.
Utility Cost Pass through The RSO does not cover any Pass-through clause for Utility costs.
Expenditure Mandate Pass-through The RSO does not contain a section discussing pass-through for expenditure mandates.
Additional Tenant Pass-through A landlord shall not charge any rent above the maximum allowable rent if a new tenant is added to the unit.
Water service Penalty Pass-through Safe, Clean Water Act: A Small Landlord, who owns 50 covered units or fewer, may pass-through the parcel tax to Tenants.
Refuse Fee Pass-through The RSO does not contain a section discussing a pass-through for refuse fees.
Government Mandates Pass-through The RSO does not contain a section discussing a pass-through for Government Mandates.
Rehabilitation Work Pass-through The RSO does not contain a section discussing pass-through for Rehabilitation Work.
Primary Renovation Pass-through

A landlord may recover 50% of any work on a rental unit or building that extends its life or adds value. This can be:

  1. A replacement to any structural system.
Or an abatement to any hazardous material.
Relocation Assistance Pass-through The RSO does not contain a section discussing a pass-through for Relocation Assistance.
Application Fee Pass-through The RSO does not contain a section discussing pass-through for Application Fees.
Replacement Key or security Card Fee Pass-through The RSO does not contain a section discussing a pass-through for Replacement fees.
Systematic Code Enforcement Fee The RSO does not contain a section discussing a pass-through for Systematic Code Enforcement Fees.
Smoke detector fee The RSO does not contain a section discussing a pass-through for Smoke Detector Fees.
Bounced check Fee Pass-through The RSO does not contain a section discussing a pass-through for Bounced Check Fees.
Late Fee The RSO does not contain a section discussing a pass-through for Primary Renovation Fees.
Seismic Retrofit The RSO does not contain a section discussing Seismic Retrofits.
Additional Pass-through details A landlord may collect pass through costs if they have filed with the city, received approval, included it in the rental agreement, and give written notice to the tenant 30 days prior to collection.
Standards for Approving Pass-through costs

The department may approve an application for pass-through recovery if they meet one of the following:

  1. A unique feature in the rental property affecting the cost.
  2. Necessary costs for Capital Improvement or Primary Renovation.
If it ensures a fair return for the landlord without causing undue financial burden on the tenant.
Registration Landlords must register their units on or before September 30th.
Security Deposits at transaction
  • Security deposits are capped at one month’s rent. However, small landlords, defined as those owning fewer than two residential properties with no more than four total units, may collect up to two months’ rent as a security deposit.
  • Landlords must provide itemized documentation for any administrative fees charged, which must align with the county’s regulatory framework.
Tenant move-In at transaction? 8.52.055
Yes, Security deposits as any payment or fee charged at the start of a tenancy for a fully covered rental unit. The deposit can only be used for processing costs or as advance rent. Additionally, landlords cannot charge a security deposit amount that exceeds what was initially charged at the start of the tenancy.
Shared Legal Assistance for all Tenants? While there are no universally shared tenant legal assistance programs across all jurisdictions, many cities and the county participate in collaborative efforts like Stay Housed LA, which offers legal services for tenants facing eviction or housing disputes.
Does the City pay for legal assistance for tenants? Yes, On Tuesday, July 16, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the Tenant Right to Counsel Ordinance, which will provide free legal representation to eligible tenants facing eviction in unincorporated Los Angeles County beginning in January of 2025.
Relocation Assistance Yes, the landlord must make the relocation assistance payments in accordance with the departments procedures and guidelines.
Vacancy Decontrol? No, Section 8 does not explicitly mention vacancy decontrol.
Costa Hawkins

Passed in 1995, the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act was created to limit how far California cities can extend rent control policies by doing the following:

  • Single-family homes and condominiums are exempt from rent control policies.
  • Any property built after February 1, 1995 is exempt of rent control policies.
Landlords can set the initial rent for new tenants, a policy known as vacancy decontrol.
Just Cause eviction
  • No Fault Eviction: A landlord is evicting a tenant for a reason that is not the tenant's fault.
  • At Fault Eviction: Occurs when the landlord is evicting a tenant due to a specific action or inaction by the tenant.
Failure To Pay Rent Failure to pay rent.
Violations Of Obligations Violation of material terms of rental agreement.
Maintenance Of Nuisances Tenant has created or is maintaining a dangerous and unsanitary condition and that condition has not been promptly abated or repaired after written notice to the Tenant from the Landlord and the passage of a reasonable cure period.
Illegal Uses Any crime, act of violence, threat of violent crime, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking against the Tenant or a member of the Tenant's household is a basis for eviction.
Refusal To Execute Leases Failure to Sign Substantially Similar Lease. The Landlord's written request or demand must be received no later than ninety (90) Days before the final day of Tenancy of the prior Rental Agreement.
Refusal To Provide Access for Making Repairs The Ordinance does not have any provision involving refusal to provide the landlord access.
Unapproved Subtenants The Ordinance does not have any provision involving unapproved Subtenants.
Use By Landlords
  • No fault: A landlord or his family would like to move into the unit.
  • Under SB 567, the occupant must move in within 90 days of the tenant vacating the property.
Change Of Building Managers The Ordinance does not have any provision involving a change in building managers.
Demolition The Ordinance does not have any provisions involving demolition.
Condominium/Hotel Conversions The Ordinance does not have any provision covering condominium conversion.
Affordable Housing The Ordinance does not have any provision covering affordable housing conversion.
(Ellis Act)

Under state law, landlords may withdraw units from the rental market:

  • Tenants must receive at least 120 days’ notice before withdrawal.
  • Tenants who are 62 years or older or disabled are entitled to a 1-year notice period, if they have lived in the unit for at least one year and properly notify the landlord of their status.
  • If the property is returned to the rental market within 5 years, the landlord must offer the unit back to the displaced tenant(s) at the same rent-controlled rate they previously paid.
If the property is returned to the market within 10 years, the landlord must still offer the unit back to the former tenant(s) (right of first refusal), but may charge market rent if it’s been more than 5 years since withdrawal.
Withdrawal from The Rental Market A landlord would like to exit the market in compliance with the Ellis act.
Disruptive Tenant The Ordinance does not have any provision covering landlord refusal.
Income Limits Households exceed income limits for government regulated units.
Employee termination The Ordinance does not have any provision covering employment termination.
Renovation Work The Ordinance does not have any provision covering renovation work.
Refused by landlord The Ordinance does not have any provision covering landlord refusal.
Government order A court order or government agency
Additional Tenant The Ordinance does not have any provision covering additional tenants.
Temporary Absence The Ordinance does not have any provision covering landlord temporary absence.
Foreclosure The Ordinance does not have any provision covering foreclosure.
Medical The Ordinance does not have any provision covering medical termination.
Approved Relocation Application Failure to vacate out of unit by approved relocation application.
Additional Eviction Information There are no additional eviction information in the Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
Shared Unlawful Detainer
  • An unlawful detainer is a lawsuit filed by a landlord to evict a tenant from a residential or commercial property in Los Angeles, California.
  • Unlawful detainers are handled by the superior court in Los Angeles County.
  • The legal process for an Unlawful Detainer is the same in all jurisdictions:
    1. The landlord must give a written 3, 30, 60, or 90-day notice for a just cause eviction.
    2. If the tenant does not take action, the landlord may file a lawsuit against the tenant.
    3. Tenants have 10 days, excluding Saturday, Sunday, and all judicial holidays, after receiving a UD to file a written answer to the court.
    4. If a tenant does not respond to a UD, a default judgement will be entered against the tenant.
    5. Once entered, a sheriff will post a 5-day eviction notice on their door.
  • If the tenant still has not left the property,