Rent Increases

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There are various laws that limit if, when, and the amount rent can be increased. Rent stabilization laws (rent control) limit the amount a landlord may charge their tenant(s) and how often rent can be increased. If your unit is not covered under rent control, your landlord can increase your rent by any amount.

State law requires landlords to provide notice prior to issuing a rent increase regardless if your under rent control.  Before increasing your rent, your landlord must first give you a:

• 30-day written notice if the increase is 10% or less*; or
• 90-day written notice if the increase is over 10%*.

If you have a lease, the landlord cannot increase your rent until the lease expires, unless your lease allows it.

RENT CONTROL RESTRICTIONS

UNINCORPORATED LA COUNTY:

The Los Angeles County Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance (RSTPO), Chapter 8.52 of the County Code, is a local law that sets the maximum annual rent increase based on the percentage change in the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) for properties located in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Additionally, the RSTPO provides tenants protections from evictions without just cause.

The Mobilehome Rent Stabilization and Mobilehome Owners Protections Ordinance (MRSMOPO), Chapter 8.57 of the County Code, is a local law that sets the maximum annual rent increase based on the percentage change in the annual (CPI) for mobilehome spaces located in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

Beginning April 1, 2023, fully-covered rental units subject to the RSTPO and mobilehome spaces subject to the MRSMOPO will be restricted to a maximum of 3% rent increases through December 31, 2023. Luxury units will be restricted to a 5% rent increase through December 31, 2023.

To learn more about the RSTPO, click here. To learn more about the MRSMOPO, click here.

INCORPORATED CITIES:

 Many incorporated cities, such as the City of Los Angeles, have their own rent control restrictions in place. It is important you contact your local city hall to find out if there are any rent control restrictions in place for your city.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA:

Effective January 1, 2020, the State of California enacted a statewide rent control law, referred to as the California Tenant Protection Act of 2019 or Assembly Bill 1482 (AB 1482).

 AB 1482: 

• Limits annual rent increases to no more than 5% + local CPI or 10% whichever is lower. As of August 2023, the maximum allowable annual rent increase is restricted to 8.8% (5% + CPI of 3.8%).
• Provides Just Cause protections to tenants.
• If a unit is already covered by local eviction and/or rent increase regulations, the unit remains subject to those local regulations and the statewide law does not remove or replace those tenant protections.

For additional information on AB 1482, click here.

VERIFY JURISDICTION:

To find out if your property is located in an unincorporated or incorporated area of Los Angeles County, visit the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk website and select “District Map Look Up By Address.

OTHER RESTRICTIONS

If you file a complaint with an enforcement agency, such as the health department or building and safety, the landlord cannot legally retaliate against you. Retaliation may include increasing your rent, decreasing your housing services or taking steps to evict you. This protection is good for 180 days from the date you filed your complaint as long as you continue to pay rent and follow the terms of your rental agreement.**

 *CA Civil Code §827

**CA Civil Code §1942.5(a)

 

County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer and Business Affairs. Last change: March 24, 2023