How Does Rent Stabilization
Work for Tenants in Los Angeles County?
Rent stabilization laws are designed to protect tenants from sudden, excessive rent hikes while ensuring landlords can earn a fair return on their properties. In unincorporated Los Angeles County, these safeguards are provided under the Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance (RSTPO). If you rent in the County’s unincorporated area, here’s what you need to know about your rights and how rent stabilization works for you.
The County’s Rent Stabilization Program oversees and enforces the RSTPO, which covers most multi-family rental properties with a Certificate of Occupancy issued on or before February 1, 1995. The program specifically provides rent control and just cause eviction protections to tenants in unincorporated Los Angeles County only.
Covered (fully protected with rent control and just cause eviction protections), if all the following applies:
- ● Residential buildings of two or more units with a certificate of occupancy issued on or before February 1, 1995
- ● An accessory dwelling unit with a certificate of occupancy issued after February 1, 1995, but only if it was occupied on or before February 1, 1995, and the tenant provides evidence of occupation, regardless of the legal or permit status of the Rental Unit.
Partially covered (just cause eviction protections only):
- ● Units issued a certificate of occupancy after February 1, 1995, unless fully exempt.
- ● Single family homes and condos.
Fully Exempt (no rent control and no just cause eviction protections):
- ● Units in hospitals, convents, monasteries, extended medical facilities, asylums, non-profit homes for the aged, dormitories, group homes, licensed residential treatment or care facilities, interim housing facilities
- ● Units owned, managed or operated or subsidized by any local or state governmental agency.
- ● Short-term housing (hotels, motels, etc.).
- ● Owner-occupied units, in which the landlord or landlord’s family lives as their primary residence.
The RSTPO ties annual rent hikes to changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), with special rules for small-property landlords and luxury units. See the following links for more specific, up-to-date information:
All increases may occur only once every 12 months.
Before raising rent, landlords must:
- Register each rental unit and pay annual fees to the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA).
- Ensure no outstanding housing, health, safety, or ordinance violations.
- Provide tenants proper written notice—30 days for hikes up to 10%
If you believe your landlord has exceeded allowable increases or reduced essential services without a rent cut, you may submit an Application for Adjustment to DCBA’s Rent Stabilization Unit. Grounds include:
- ● Unlawful rent increases
- ● Service reductions or habitability issues
- ● Failure to follow RSTPO procedures
Successful petitions can reset your rent to the lawful level and recover any overpaid amounts.
Under the RSTPO, landlords may only terminate tenancies for specific “just-cause” reasons, divided into:
- ● At-Fault: including, but not limited to, nonpayment of rent, material lease breach, nuisance, illegal use, etc.
- ● No-Fault: Owner or family move-in, substantial rehab, Ellis Act withdrawal, or government order.
Retaliatory actions—threatening eviction, reducing services, or other bad-faith tactics—are strictly prohibited.
Legal Remedies for Tenants Facing Landlord Violations in Los Angeles County
If your landlord violates Los Angeles County’s Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance—or engages in certain types of harassment or unlawful behavior—you may be entitled to the following legal remedies:
- ● Treble Damages: Under California Civil Code § 1940.2 (for covered tenants), tenants can recover up to three times actual damages if the landlord’s conduct is willful, such as harassment, illegal eviction attempts, or utility shutoffs. Local city ordinances may permit greater or lesser damages, for covered tenants.
- ● Compensatory Damages: This includes financial losses (e.g., rent overcharges, relocation expenses) and emotional distress, especially in cases involving harassment, unsafe living conditions, or sudden displacement.
- ● Attorney’s Fees: Tenants who prevail in court may be awarded their legal fees, making it easier to pursue justice.
- ● Injunctive Relief: Courts can order landlords to stop unlawful actions and comply with local housing protections.
These remedies are designed to protect renters and hold landlords accountable for violating tenant rights.
If your unit does not qualify under Los Angeles County’s rent stabilization ordinance, you may be covered by the California Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which caps rent increases at 5% plus CPI or 10%, whichever is less, and provides just cause eviction protections for certain properties.
Learn more about your rights by visiting our California Tenant Protection Act of 2019 guide.
Need Help Navigating Your Rights?
If you’re facing a rent increase, illegal eviction, landlord harassment, or other landlord-tenant issues, Tenant Law Group is ready to support you. As California’s leading tenant rights law firm, we specialize in defending renters and ensuring their rights are upheld. Protect your housing rights with expert guidance. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to learn more about your tenant rights in Los Angeles County.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant laws in California and is not intended as legal advice. We encourage you to consult with a qualified tenant attorney or local tenant advocacy organization for guidance specific to your situation.
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