Rent Stabilization Program
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Rent Stabilization Program
The Rent Stabilization Program oversees and enforces the Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance (RSTPO) and Mobilehome Rent Stabilization and Mobilehome Owner Protections Ordinance (MRSMOPO), which stabilize rents and extend eviction protections for eligible properties in unincorporated Los Angeles County. The program also oversees the Rental Housing Oversight Commission (RHOC) which resolves appeals related to the ordinances.
Maximum Allowable Rent Increase
*Small Property Landlords must submit a Small Property Landlord Self-Certification to DCBA annually and include a disclosure in the rent increase notice to tenants stating that they meet the Small Property Landlord Requirements.
**Landlords of luxury units must include a disclosure in the rent increase notice to tenants that the unit meets the luxury unit requirements.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Los Angeles County Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance (RSTPO) is a local law that limits annual rent increases (rent-stabilized units only) based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). It also protects tenants in residential units from being evicted without a valid reason (also known as “just cause”) in unincorporated Los Angeles County. The RSTPO also provides a process for property owners to seek relief if they believe they are not receiving a fair return on their rental units under the permitted maximum annual rent increase.
Beginning January 1, 2024, rental units subject to the RSTPO will be restricted to a maximum rent increase of 4% through December 31, 2024.
Beginning January 1, 2025
Annual rent increases for fully covered rental units subject to LACC Section 8.52.050 will be limited to sixty percent (60%) of the percentage change in the average consumer price index (CPI) over the previous twelve-month period ending in September, not to exceed a maximum rent increase of three percent (3%).
Qualifying Small Property Landlords* may increase rent by an additional one percent (1%) annually, not to exceed four percent (4%).
Landlords of luxury units** may increase rent by an additional two percent (2%) annually above the maximum allowable rent increase of three percent (3%), not to exceed five percent (5%).
*Small Property Landlords:
- Are qualified for and have received a Homeowners’ Property Tax Exemption for the property on which the subject rental unit is located;
- Have an ownership interest or beneficial interest in or controls only one (1) rental property with no more than ten (10) rental units; or
- Have an ownership interest or beneficial interest in or controls no more than three (3) rental properties with a combined total of no more than ten (10) Rental Units, including any rental properties outside of Los Angeles County.
**Luxury Units are units that:
- Have two (2) bedrooms or less;
- Are located within a single structure that contains at least twenty-five (25) or more Rental Units; and
- As of September 11, 2018, landlord has received at least four thousand dollars ($4,000) per month in rent.
Special Notice Requirements to Tenants:
Rent increase notices to tenants must include a statement that the landlord meets the requirements for:
- Small Property Landlord
- Luxury Unit
Self-Certification Requirement to DCBA (Small Property Landlords ONLY):
Small Property Landlords must submit a Small Property Landlord Self-Certification to DCBA annually stating that they meet the requirements set forth in the RSTPO. To download a copy of the Small Property Landlord Self-Certification form, click here.
The Los Angeles County Mobilehome Rent Stabilization and Mobilehome Owner Protections Ordinance (MRSMOPO) is a local law that limits annual rent increases based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase for mobilehome spaces in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. The MRSMOPO also provides a process for mobilehome park owners to seek relief if they believe they are unable to receive a fair return in the operation of their mobilehome park under the permitted maximum annual rent increase.
Beginning January 1. 2024, mobilehome spaces subject to the MRSMOPO will be restricted to a maximum rent increase of 4% through June 30, 2024.
MOBILEHOME RENT STABILIZATION AND MOBILEHOME OWNER PROTECTIONS ORDINANCE
The chart below explains which units/spaces are subject to the County’s protections and the coverage type:
| Fully Covered Units (Rent restricted and eviction protections) | Partially Covered Units (Eviction protections only) | Mobilehome Spaces (Rent restricted) |
| Located in unincorporated LA County | Located in unincorporated LA County | Located in unincorporated LA County |
| Certificate of Occupancy (or its equivalent) issued on or before February 1, 1995 | Most rental units, including Single Family Homes (SFH) & Condos, unless exempt | Constructed on or before January 1, 1990 |
| Residential unit on a property with two (2) or more units | Containing recreation vehicles, in which the owners of such recreational vehicles have been residing on the mobilehome space for nine (9) or more consecutive months | |
| Mobilehomes offered for rent by the owner of the mobilehome regardless of the date of the certificate of occupancy or equivalent permit | Month-to-month, short-term leases, or long-term leases entered into after February 13, 2020 |
Yes. In certain situations, landlords and mobilehome park owners may increase rent by more than the allowable limit if they can demonstrate that they are not receiving a fair return on the property.
Landlords may also pass on costs related to certain property improvements, renovations, annual registration fees, and the Safe Clean Water Act (Measure W parcel tax). Most of these increases cannot happen without prior approval from the County. Any allowable pass-through expenses are not considered rent and should always be listed as a separate line item.
If a landlord or mobilehome park owner increases rent beyond the limit set by the RSTPO or MRSMOPO, tenants and mobilehome space renters may submit an Application for Adjustment. This application allows them to apply for a decrease in rent due to issues such as, improper rent increases, reduction in housing services, or habitability issues. Certain exclusions may apply. The department will review the application and issue a decision on the matter. To access department forms and applications, click here.
Applications can be submitted in the following ways:
- Online: www.rentregistry.dcba.lacounty.gov (Click on “Tenant” and create an account)
- In Person: 320 West Temple Street, Room G-10
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 4:30PM - By Email: RSUEnforcement@dcba.lacounty.gov
- By Mail: Department of Consumer and Business Affairs
Attention: Rent Stabilization Program
320 West Temple Street, Room G-10
Los Angeles, CA 90012
To find out if a property is in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County, visit the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk website and select “District Map Look Up By Address.”
You can access the Los Angeles County Rent Registry system to verify coverage under the Los Angeles County RSTPO and MRSMOPO by visiting www.rentregistry.dcba.lacounty.gov and entering the subject property address or Assessor Parcel Number (APN) in the “FIND” field.
Tenants residing in residential rental units covered by the RSPTO can only be evicted for one of the “Just Cause” reasons listed below, which is broken into two categories: At-fault and No-fault.
At-Fault: Tenant has broken the rental agreement in one or more of the following ways:
- Failure to pay rent exceeding monetary threshold
- Violation of material breach of rental agreement
- Creating a nuisance or using the rental unit for illegal purposes
- Failure to sign a substantially similar lease
- Failure to Vacate as Required by Approved Relocation Application
- Households Exceeding Income Limits in Government Regulated Units
No-Fault (may require relocation assistance): Landlords may evict a tenant where the tenant is not at-fault for the following reasons:
- Landlord or Landlord’s Family Member Move-in
- Withdrawal of Fully or Partially Covered Rental Units from Rental Market
- Government agency or court order.
To learn more about relocation assistance, click here: English / Spanish
Tenants with permanent physical disabilities residing in fully covered rental units subject to the RSTPO may request their landlord to relocate them to an available Accessible Rental Unit located on the rental property, if certain conditions are met.
To learn how the new protections may apply to you, please contact DCBA.
MORE SERVICES & INFORMATION
The Tenant Right to Counsel Program provides free legal services to eligible tenants living in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County during eviction (Unlawful Detainer) proceedings.
Stay Housed L.A. is a free service that provides income eligible tenants in Los Angeles County with information on their rights and resources to help keep them in their homes. This network of assistance includes community organizations that advocate for tenants, legal service providers, and government partners.
The Rental Housing Oversight Commission protects tenants from rent increases that are inconsistent with County Code and ensures landlords and mobilehome park owners receive a fair return on rents.
The Los Angeles County Rent Registry is an online system where rental property owners can register their rental units, update rental unit information, and pay annual rent registration fees required by the County’s rent stabilization ordinances.
Property owners and tenants may also access the Los Angeles County Rent Registry system to verify coverage under the Los Angeles County RSTPO and MRSMOPO by visiting www.rentregistry.dcba.lacounty.gov, and entering the subject property address or Assessor Parcel Number (APN) in the “FIND” field.
Coming Soon: Rental Property owners and tenants will be able to use our online system to submit documentation for requests related to rent adjustments, pass-throughs, and evictions subject to the Los Angeles County RSTPO and MRSMOPO.
Disclaimer: This page contains a summary of information related to the RSTPO and MRSMOPO and is not legal advice. Readers should consult an attorney for advice on how the RSTPO or MRSMOPO may apply to rental units and mobilehome spaces. Laws and guidelines are frequently amended, and it is the responsibility of the reader to verify the information contained on this site.
