City of Los Angeles New Requirements for Landlords
Starting January 27, 2023, every landlord who owns residential properties is required to give tenants a Notice of Renters’ Protections upon the start or renewal of their tenancy. Additionally, the notice must be posted in a common area of the property that is easily accessible to all tenants. To obtain a copy of the Renters’ Protections Notice, please click on this link.
City of LA New Renter Protections Breakdown
Non Payment of Rent in LA City
From February 1, 2023, tenants are obligated to pay the full amount of their monthly rent. However, low-income renters who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 are still protected until March 31, 2023. Renters must inform their landlord within seven days of the rent due date and submit evidence of their income level. If eligible, tenants will have until March 31, 2024, to repay any unpaid rent for February and/or March 2023.
At Fault Evictions in LA City
Starting January 27, 2023, eviction protections will be in place for all renters residing in the City of Los Angeles. This implies that landlords are required to provide a legal justification for eviction. Tenants residing in rental units that are not covered by the City’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) are safeguarded at the end of their initial lease or six months after the start of their first lease, whichever happens first.
At-fault eviction reasons that are permissible include nonpayment of rent, infringement of a lease or rental agreement, causing or allowing a disturbance, using the property for illegal activities such as drugs and gangs, not renewing a comparable lease, refusal to allow access into the rental unit, subletting without approval at the tenancy’s end, and not conforming to an authorized Tenant Habitability Plan (THP).
Unauthorized pets and or unauthorized guests (tenants) protections remain in place until January 31st, 2024.
No-Fault Evictions in LA City
Eviction reasons that are considered no-fault include the following: the owner, a family member, or a resident manager will occupy the rental unit; compliance with a government order; demolition or permanent removal from the rental housing market; or conversion of the property into affordable housing.
For all no-fault evictions of rental units, landlords are obligated to file a Declaration of Intent to Evict with LAHD, pay the appropriate fees, and provide the tenant with relocation assistance payment.
Relocation Assistance in LA City
All residential units in the City of Los Angeles require relocation assistance for no-fault evictions.
In the event that the landlord of a Single Family Dwelling (SFD) is a natural person who possesses no more than four residential units and an SFD on a distinct lot, tenants are eligible for one month’s rent as relocation assistance.
Landlords are allowed to cover a tenant’s unpaid rent from the relocation assistance payment.
Relocation Assistance amounts from 7/1/22 – 6/30/23
| Tenant Type | Tenancy with less than 3 years | Tenancy with 3 or more years | Income below 80% of Area Median Income | Mom & Pop Amounty | Single Family Dwelling owned by natural persons |
| Eligible Tenant | $9,200 | $12,050 | $12,050 | $8,850 | One month’s rent |
| Qualified Tenant | $19,400 | $22,950 | $22,950 | $17,850 |
Rent Increases Under RSO
Starting February 1, 2024, landlords of Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) properties can resume carrying out annual allowable rent increases. Nevertheless, neither banking nor retroactive rent increases are permitted.
From April 1, 2023, landlords are authorized to impose new cost recovery surcharges that have been approved by LAHD, as long as they serve the tenant with a 30-day written notice.
Rent Increases Under State Law
Certain rental units that are not subject to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) may be governed by State law AB1482, which pertains to properties constructed more than 15 years ago. The maximum permissible rent increase is 10% for rent hikes that take effect from August 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023.
To learn if your rental unit is subject to either RSO or AB1482, please use zimas.lacity.org
COVID-19 Rental Debt in LA City
Unpaid rent due to COVID-19 financial impact must be paid back by the following deadlines:
- Rent that was due between March 1, 2020, and September 30, 2021, should be paid back by August 1, 2023.
- Rent that was due between October 1, 2021, and January 31, 2023, must be paid back by February 1, 2024.
State Law Eviction Protection in LA City
Tenants cannot be evicted for non-payment of rent if the tenant meets the following criteria:
- If tenants have furnished landlords with a COVID-19 Related Declaration of Financial Distress within 15 days of the rent’s due date for rent that was due between March 1, 2020, and August 31, 2020, such rent is deemed as Consumer Debt, and landlords cannot initiate eviction proceedings against tenants for such debt.
- If tenants have submitted a COVID-19 Related Declaration of Financial Distress to their landlords within 15 days of the rent’s due date and paid 25% of their rent for the period from September 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021, such rent is deemed Consumer Debt, and landlords are prohibited from initiating eviction proceedings against tenants for such unpaid rent.
- Tenants who have complied with the above-stated requirements are protected from eviction. However, landlords may seek recovery of unpaid rent in small claims court.
Notice to Terminate Tenancy in LA City
Starting from January 27, 2023, any written notice to terminate a tenancy must be submitted to LAHD within three (3) business days of being served to the tenant, in accordance with Los Angeles Municipal Code 151.09.C.9 & 165.05.B.5. Notices can be filed here.
Economic Displacement in LA City
Starting March 27, 2023, tenants who cannot afford a rent increase of over 10% within 12 months have the choice to receive relocation assistance instead of paying the increased rent. The amount of relocation assistance provided is determined by the number of bedrooms in the rental unit. If the landlord is an individual who owns a maximum of 4 residential units and a Single Family Dwelling (SFD) on a separate lot, tenants who rent a SFD will receive one month’s rent as relocation assistance.
Landlords are allowed to cover a tenant’s unpaid rent from the relocation assistance payment.
2023 Economic displacement relocation assistance per bedroom size:
| Efficiency | 1 Bed | 2 Bed | 3 Bed | 4 Bed | Single Family Dwelling owned by a natural person | |
| FY2023 | $1,534 | $1,747 | $2,222 | $2,888 | $3,170 | One month’s rent |
| Relocation Amount | $4,602 | $5,241 | $6,666 | $8,664 | $9,510 | |
| Moving Costs | $1,411 | $1,411 | $1,411 | $1,411 | $1,411 | |
| Total | $6,013 | $6,652 | $8,077 | $10,075 | $10,921 |
Evictions for Non-Payment of Rent in LA City
Starting March 27, 2023, a landlord may not initiate an eviction against a tenant who is in arrears with rent, except if the amount owed is more than the Fair Market Rent (FMR) corresponding to the size of the rental unit. The FMR is determined by the number of bedrooms in the unit. To illustrate, if a tenant is renting a 1-bedroom apartment for $1,500, and they fall behind on rent, the landlord cannot evict them as long as the amount owed is less than the FMR for a 1-bedroom unit.
2023 economic threshold fair market rent per bedroom size:
| Efficiency | 1 Bed | 2 Bed | 3 Bed | 4 Bed | |
| FY2023 | $1,534 | $1,747 | $2,222 | $2,888 | $3,170 |
If you have any questions regarding the new requirements for Landlords in the City of Los Angeles, please contact us and an eviction specialist may assist you.
Filed under: City of Los Angeles