Are you confused about rent control and how much you’re permitted to raise the rent?
This continues to be a hot topic in Los Angeles, and for good reason. With the ever-evolving laws around rental price increases, evictions, and tenant protections, it can be difficult for landlords to keep up, especially when these regulations change frequently.
In 2025, the landscape for rental property owners in LA grew more complex than ever. With multiple layers of rent control laws, ranging from the city of Los Angeles to Los Angeles County, and even statewide rent control regulations, the rules can be confusing to navigate.
Landlords renting in the City of Los Angeles must adhere to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), which governs both rent increases and evictions. We’re focusing on that as we take a look at LA rent control rules and what you can do when it’s time to negotiate a lease renewal and raise the rent.
Overview of Rent Control:
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Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance
Let’s start with the law that governs rent control in the city of Los Angeles.
Generally, the RSO applies to Los Angeles rental properties that were constructed on or before October 1, 1978, as well as replacement units under LAMC Section 151.28. The ordinance covers the following property types:
- Apartments
- Condos
- Townhome
- Duplexes
- Two or more single-family dwelling units on the same parcel of land
- Rooms in a hotel, motel, rooming house, or boarding house occupied by the same tenant for 30 or more consecutive days
- Residential unit(s) attached to a commercial building
- Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
- Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU)
Mobile homes are covered, too.
How to Increase Rent in Los Angeles
The Rent Stabilization Ordinance plays a key role in determining how much you can increase rent on your rental property in Los Angeles. It also mandates that your property be registered with the city. In addition to regulating rent hikes, the RSO imposes specific rules around evictions, but let’s focus on how it impacts rental increases and rent control.
Under certain circumstances, landlords in Los Angeles are allowed to raise rents without limitation. For example, if a tenant voluntarily moves out or is evicted, you can increase the rent to whatever amount you choose without needing approval from the Los Angeles Housing Department. Similarly, if a tenant agrees to a Buyout Agreement in lieu of eviction, you’re also free to set the rent at any level you desire.
Landlords in Los Angeles can increase rents within a range of 3 to 8 percent annually. This increase is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is calculated using the average CPI for the 12-month period ending on September 30 each year.
With these changes, landlords must stay informed about how to implement rent increases legally and within the limits set by the city.
Between now and June 30, 2026, the allowable annual increase is 3%, with an additional 1% if the landlord pays for gas or electricity (up to 4% total for utilities).
Notice Periods for Rental Increases in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, when a landlord decides to increase the rent, they must provide proper notice to the tenant in accordance with the RSO and California state law. The required notice period depends on the amount of the rent increase and the length of the tenant’s occupancy.
- For rent increases of 10% or less of the current rent, the landlord must provide at least 30 days’ written notice to the tenant. This is the most common scenario for modest rent hikes. The notice must be delivered in writing and can be hand-delivered to the tenant or sent via mail. It is important to ensure that the notice is clear and includes the new rent amount, the effective date, and any other relevant details.
- For rent increases greater than 10% but less than 20%, the landlord must provide 60 days’ written notice. This longer notice period is required because the increase is deemed more significant, and tenants need additional time to prepare for the higher rent.
- If a rent increase is happening after a tenant has occupied the unit for more than one year, a 60-day notice is generally required, regardless of the amount of the increase. This gives tenants more time to assess their options and decide whether they can continue to afford the higher rent.
Failing to provide the correct notice or adequate time can lead to complications, including the possibility of the rent increase being invalid. Therefore, landlords must be diligent about meeting these notice requirements to ensure compliance with LA’s rent control laws.
The RSO Calculator
If the math proves to be too much, there’s good news. The Los Angeles Housing Department provides a calculator on their website (https://housing.lacity.gov/rso-rent-increase-calculator) which will tell you how much you can increase the rent. The calculator already has the allowable increase, and then it asks you to input the current rent and answer a few questions about whether you (the landlord) pay electricity or gas. Push the red button, and voila – you have your new allowable rent. This is a great way to double-check that your rental increase is compliant.
Navigating LA’s rent control rules can be complex, but understanding permissible rent increases is essential for compliance and profitability. By staying informed about the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, proper notice periods, and annual rent adjustments, landlords can manage their properties effectively while avoiding legal pitfalls.
Contact us at Earnest Homes, and we’ll make sure that the RSO isn’t as much of a mystery.
