Los Angeles Landlord-Tenant Rules

Rent stabilization: The Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) generally covers rental units in the City of Los Angeles first built on or before October 1, 1978 (plus certain replacement units, ADUs/JADUs and mobile homes). Rent may be raised once every 12 months by the annual allowable percentage. For July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 the allowable increase is 3%. Under the revised formula the annual figure ranges from 1% to 4% based on CPI. Effective February 2, 2026, landlords may no longer add an extra percentage for utilities, and no increase is allowed for adding a dependent (a 10% increase is still allowed for an additional non-dependent tenant). Rent may reset to market when a tenant voluntarily leaves or is evicted for certain at-fault reasons. Condos and townhomes are covered for eviction purposes, but their rent is not regulated for tenancies that began after December 31, 1995.; Just-cause eviction: RSO units may only be evicted for reasons listed in the RSO. Most other residential units (non-RSO) are covered by the Just Cause Ordinance (JCO) once the tenant has lived there 6 months or the original lease has expired, whichever comes first. At-fault reasons include nonpayment, an uncured lease violation, nuisance or damage, illegal use, refusing to renew a similar lease, denying lawful access, and an unapproved subtenant remaining at lease end. No-fault reasons include owner or family move-in, a required resident manager, demolition or removal from the rental market (Ellis Act), a government order to vacate, and conversion to affordable housing. Since March 27, 2023, landlords of RSO and JCO units may not evict for unpaid rent unless the tenant owes more than one month of Fair Market Rent for the unit size.; Relocation assistance: All no-fault evictions from RSO and JCO units require relocation assistance, paid per unit (split equally among tenants; if more than one amount applies, the higher one). Before serving notice, the landlord must file a Declaration of Intent to Evict with LAHD. Payment must be made available within 15 days of serving the termination notice, or placed in escrow. Amounts for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027: eligible household $11,000 (tenancy under 3 years), $14,400 (3+ years or low income at or below 80% AMI), $10,550 (Mom and Pop owner/family move-in); qualified household (age 62+, disabled, or minor dependent child) $23,150, $27,400, and $21,250. A natural-person owner of a JCO single-family home who owns no more than 4 units plus one house pays one month's rent. Amounts rise every July 1. Different rules apply to lower-income tenants displaced by demolition for new construction.; Security deposit (local add-on): Landlords of RSO units must pay tenants interest on security deposits each year. The rate is set by the Rent Adjustment Commission: 3.03% for January 1 through December 31, 2026 (4.32% in 2025). Alternatively, the landlord may pay the actual interest earned in an interest-bearing account if it gives the tenant a statement. When the RSO annual rent increase is applied, the deposit may be raised by the same percentage.