Los Angeles Rental Laws & Rent Control (2026)
City flag · Los Angeles
Los Angeles is in Los Angeles County, California. It adds local protections on top of statewide law: Just-cause protection start, Local rent increase cap, Annual rental registration fee, No-fault relocation assistance. Confirm each rule's current scope with the city before acting.
Los Angeles local rules (4)
These sit on top of the statewide rules below. Each one links to the official Los Angeles source we track it from. Scope can depend on the building’s age, unit count and tenancy — verify against the source before acting.
Just-cause protection start
Effective January 2023From day 1 of the tenancy
RSO units: day 1 (14 causes). Non-RSO units: citywide JCO applies after 6 months or first lease end. Day-1 applies to RSO units; for non-RSO units the citywide JCO starts protections at end of first lease or 6 months, whichever first.
Official Los Angeles sourceLocal rent increase cap
Effective July 2026Tracked rate: 3% — confirm coverage and tiers below
3% confirmed for 7/1/2026–6/30/2027. New formula from 7/1/2026: 90% of CPI, floor 1% / ceiling 4%; the utility add-on was eliminated Feb 2026. RSO units only. Verified 2026-08-30.
Official Los Angeles sourceAnnual rental registration fee
Effective January 2025$38.75 RSO + $67.94 SCEP per unit
Billed by LAHD each January. Non-RSO rentals pay JCO fee $31.05/unit.
Official Los Angeles sourceNo-fault relocation assistance
Effective July 2026$11,000-$27,400 by tenure and household status
LAHD Chart A, effective 7/1/2026-6/30/2027. Eligible: $11,000 under 3 years; $14,400 at 3+ years or <=80% AMI; $10,550 qualifying small landlord. Qualified: $23,150/$27,400/$21,250 respectively. Certain natural-person SFD JCO terminations owe one month rent. Verified 2026-08-30.
Official Los Angeles source
Statewide laws that apply in Los Angeles
- California Security Deposit Law (2026)
California security deposit limits, the 21-day return deadline, allowed deductions, photos, and bad-faith penalties under Civil Code §1950.5.
- California Rent Increase Laws & AB 1482 Rent Cap (2026)
California AB 1482 rent caps, increase frequency, exemptions, and 30- or 90-day notice rules under Civil Code §§1947.12 and 827.
- California Just Cause Eviction Rules (AB 1482, §1946.2)
California AB 1482 just-cause eviction rules, at-fault and no-fault grounds, relocation assistance, and notice requirements.
- California Habitability & Repair Duties (§1941.1, SB 721)
California habitability and repair duties under Civil Code §1941.1, plus SB 721 balcony inspection rules for multifamily buildings.
- California Security Deposit Photo Rules (AB 2801, 2026)
California AB 2801 move-in and move-out photo requirements, deposit deductions, and professional-cleaning limits under §1950.5.
- California Working Stove & Refrigerator Law (AB 628, 2026)
California AB 628 stove and refrigerator habitability requirements for leases entered, amended, or extended from January 1, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
- Does Los Angeles have rent control?
- Los Angeles has its own local rent ordinance in addition to California's statewide AB 1482 cap. Local rules can be stricter, so confirm your unit's specific limit before raising rent.
- What security-deposit limit applies in Los Angeles?
- California's statewide limit applies: one month's rent as of July 1, 2024 (AB 12), with a narrow small-landlord two-month exception. The deposit must be returned within 21 days.
This page is general information about California law, not legal advice, and may not reflect the latest changes or your city’s local ordinances. Verify against the current statute or consult a California attorney before acting. Last reviewed: June 26, 2026.