Does City of Los Angeles Have Rent Control?
Yes - Rent Control
Yes. The City of Los Angeles has the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), one of the largest rent control programs in the country. It covers residential buildings with two or more units built before October 1, 1978.
The RSO limits annual rent increases, requires just cause for eviction, and is administered by the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD).
LAHD Rent Stabilization Overview →
3-Day Notice Requirements in City of Los Angeles
In addition to California's statewide CCP §1161 requirements, City of Los Angeles has the following local requirements:
- Just cause for eviction must be stated on the notice for RSO units
- A copy of the notice must be filed with LAHD within 3 business days of service
- City cover sheet is often required when filing with LAHD
- Notice must reference the applicable RSO section
- Tenant must be informed of their rights under the RSO
- Relocation assistance may be required depending on the type of eviction
RentNotice handles this automatically. When you select City of Los Angeles as your property location, all required local language is added to your notice.
Landlord Resources in City of Los Angeles
- All RSO units must be registered with LAHD annually
- File a copy of any eviction notice with LAHD within 3 business days
- Annual allowable rent increase is typically 3-8%, set by the Rent Adjustment Commission
- Just cause is required for all evictions in RSO units
- Certain evictions require relocation assistance payments to tenants
Tenant Resources in City of Los Angeles
- If you receive a 3-day notice, verify your unit is covered by the RSO by checking with LAHD.
- RSO tenants cannot be evicted without just cause - the notice must state the specific reason.
- You may be entitled to relocation assistance depending on the type of eviction.
- Free and low-cost legal help is available through Stay Housed LA and other legal aid organizations.
- If you believe your notice is invalid, consult a licensed California attorney immediately.
Just Cause for Eviction in City of Los Angeles
Under Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD), City of Los Angeles requires just cause for any eviction of a covered tenant. The grounds fall into two categories:
Fault-based grounds — based on the tenant's conduct: non-payment of rent, breach of lease, nuisance, illegal use, criminal activity on the premises, refusal to renew, refusal to allow lawful entry, or other tenant-caused grounds enumerated in the ordinance.
No-fault grounds — based on the landlord's circumstances: owner or qualifying family-member move-in, withdrawal from the rental market (Ellis Act), substantial remodel or demolition, or compliance with a government order. No-fault terminations require relocation assistance.
The exact list of grounds, the documentation required for each, and any city-specific cure periods are set by Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) and updated as the ordinance is amended. Always verify the current grounds with the agency before serving a notice.
LAHD Rent Stabilization Overview — current just-cause grounds →
Relocation Assistance in City of Los Angeles
When a landlord serves a no-fault eviction in City of Los Angeles (owner move-in, substantial remodel, withdrawal from the rental market, demolition, or compliance with a government order), the local ordinance requires relocation assistance to be paid to the tenant.
Amounts typically vary by:
- Tenant category — standard tenants vs. senior (62+), disabled, low-income, or families with minor children (protected categories receive higher amounts)
- Unit size — studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom+
- Length of tenancy — long-term tenants are sometimes entitled to additional payments
Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) sets the current relocation schedule and updates it periodically (often annually, indexed to CPI). Timing of payment also varies by city — some require full payment at notice service, others split between service and vacancy. Confirm the current amounts and timing rules with the agency before serving a no-fault notice.
LAHD Rent Stabilization Overview — current relocation schedule →
City of Los Angeles Eviction Notice FAQs
Do I need just cause to evict in the City of Los Angeles?
Yes for any tenancy covered by the LA Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) — generally multifamily units built before October 1, 1978. The 14 grounds are listed in LAMC 151.09. Non-RSO units in the City of LA are covered by the city Just-Cause for Eviction Ordinance (JCO) adopted in 2023, which extends just-cause protections city-wide.
Where do I file my notice with LAHD?
A copy of every eviction notice in an RSO unit must be filed with the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) within three business days of service. LAHD is at 1200 W 7th Street, Los Angeles. RentNotice can mail this filing copy automatically when you generate an LA notice.
What is RSO and how do I know if my unit is covered?
The Rent Stabilization Ordinance (LAMC Chapter XV, Article 1) covers most multifamily rental units in the City of LA built on or before October 1, 1978. Single-family homes, condos, and post-1978 construction are generally not RSO-covered but are still subject to the citywide JCO and AB 1482.
How much can I raise rent in LA?
For RSO units, annual rent increases are limited to the LAHD-published annual allowable increase (typically CPI-based, in the 3-4% range). For non-RSO units in LA, the state TPA cap applies (CPI+5%, max 10%). LAHD posts the current allowable increase at hcidla.lacity.org.
What relocation assistance do I owe for a no-fault eviction in LA?
No-fault evictions in RSO units require relocation assistance set by LAHD. Amounts vary by tenant category (qualified vs. eligible), unit size, and tenancy length. Senior, disabled, or low-income tenants and families with minor children receive higher amounts. Current amounts are published at hcidla.lacity.org and updated annually.
What is REAP and how does it affect evictions?
The Rent Escrow Account Program (REAP) is LA's habitability enforcement tool. If LAHD determines the building has serious habitability violations, rent goes into escrow and the landlord cannot pursue evictions for non-payment until the violations are cured. Check REAP status before serving any 3-day pay-or-quit notice.
Does the citywide JCO change what I need on my notice?
Yes. Even for non-RSO units, the JCO requires you to state a just-cause reason on every termination notice and provide relocation assistance for no-fault terminations. RentNotice auto-includes the JCO statement on every LA notice you generate.
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