BIG CHANGES FOR LA RENTERS IN 2026
If you rent in Los Angeles, 2026 is bringing some of the most significant tenant protections in decades. From stricter rent caps to new state laws requiring multilingual eviction notices, here is everything you need to know to protect yourself and your family.
--- RSO CHANGES EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 2, 2026 ---
The Los Angeles City Council approved major amendments to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) that took effect on February 2, 2026. These changes directly impact hundreds of thousands of renters across the city.
Annual Rent Increase Cap Reduced to 1%-4%
The allowable annual rent increase for RSO units has been reduced to a range of 1% to 4%. Previously, landlords could raise rent between 3% and 8% per year. This is a huge win for tenants struggling with rising costs of living in Southern California.
Utility Pass-Throughs Eliminated
Landlords can no longer pass utility costs through to tenants as a separate surcharge on top of rent. Previously, landlords could add charges for gas, electricity, and other utilities beyond the base rent. That practice is now banned under the updated RSO.
10% Dependent Surcharge Removed
The old rule allowing landlords to charge an extra 10% surcharge when additional occupants moved into a unit has been eliminated. Families and roommates can no longer be penalized for having more people in their household.
--- COMING JULY 1, 2026 ---
Starting July 1, 2026, the annual allowable rent increase will be calculated at 90% of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) instead of 100%. This means even when inflation rises, your rent increase will be slightly below the inflation rate, giving tenants a small but meaningful cushion.
--- REAL DOLLAR EXAMPLES: WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR WALLET ---
Example 1: $1,800/month Apartment
Under the old rules (3%-8% range), your landlord could have raised rent by $54 to $144 per month. Under the new rules (1%-4% cap), the maximum increase is $18 to $72 per month. That is a potential savings of up to $72 per month, or $864 per year.
Example 2: $2,500/month Family Apartment
Under the old rules, a family paying $2,500 could face increases of $75 to $200 per month. Under the new cap, the maximum increase is $25 to $100 per month. That means a family could save up to $100 per month, or $1,200 per year. Combined with the elimination of utility pass-throughs and the dependent surcharge, total savings could be even higher.
--- WHO IS COVERED BY THE RSO? ---
The LA Rent Stabilization Ordinance covers apartments and rental units built before October 1, 1978 within the City of Los Angeles. That is approximately 624,000 rental units across the city. If you live in a building constructed before that date within LA city limits, you are likely protected.
To check if your unit is covered, visit the LA Housing Department website at housing.lacity.gov or call (866) 557-7368.
IMPORTANT: If your building was constructed after October 1, 1978, you may still be protected under statewide rent control (see below).
--- STATEWIDE PROTECTIONS UNDER AB 1482 (TENANT PROTECTION ACT) ---
Even if you are not covered by the LA RSO, California's AB 1482 provides statewide protections for most renters:
- Rent Cap: Annual increases are capped at 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI), with a maximum of 10% total.
- Just Cause Eviction: After living in a unit for 12 months, your landlord must have a legally valid reason to evict you. No more arbitrary or retaliatory evictions.
- Covered Units: Most apartments and rental homes are covered. Exemptions include single-family homes (with certain conditions), units built within the last 15 years, and owner-occupied duplexes.
--- NEW STATE LAW: AB 863 — MULTILINGUAL EVICTION NOTICES ---
This is a game-changer for our diverse Southern California communities. Starting in 2026, Assembly Bill 863 requires landlords to provide eviction notices in the tenant's preferred language if it is one of the following: Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese), Tagalog, Vietnamese, or Korean.
This is especially important for the Spanish-speaking community here in SoCal. If your primary language is Spanish, your landlord must provide eviction paperwork in Spanish. No more confusion over legal documents you cannot fully understand. This law ensures that language is no longer a barrier to understanding your rights when facing eviction.
How to Exercise This Right: Notify your landlord in writing of your preferred language. Keep a copy of that written notice for your records.
--- NEW STATE LAW: AB 1414 — INTERNET FREEDOM FOR RENTERS ---
Assembly Bill 1414 gives tenants the right to choose their own internet service provider. Key provisions include:
- You can refuse bulk internet service bundled into your rent or HOA fees.
- You have the right to choose and install your own internet provider.
- If your landlord includes bulk internet charges and refuses to remove them after a written request, you can deduct the internet cost from your rent.
- Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants who exercise this right.
This is great news for renters who have been forced to pay for overpriced or slow internet bundled into their lease.
--- NEW STATE LAW: AB 325 — ANTI-ALGORITHM RENT FIXING ---
Assembly Bill 325 targets algorithmic rent-setting tools like RealPage and similar software that landlords and property management companies use to coordinate rent prices. These tools have been accused of artificially inflating rents by using shared data to recommend higher prices across competing properties.
Under AB 325, it is now illegal for landlords to use pricing algorithms that rely on non-public competitor data to set rents. This law aims to restore fair market competition and prevent coordinated rent inflation that has contributed to the housing affordability crisis.
--- KNOW YOUR TENANT RIGHTS ---
Regardless of whether you are covered by the RSO or AB 1482, all California tenants have fundamental rights:
- Right to Habitable Conditions: Your landlord must maintain the property in a livable condition, including working plumbing, heating, electrical systems, and freedom from pest infestations.
- Right to Privacy: Your landlord must give you at least 24 hours written notice before entering your unit, except in genuine emergencies.
- Right to Organize: You have the right to form or join a tenant association or union without fear of retaliation.
- Anti-Retaliation Protections: Your landlord cannot raise your rent, decrease services, or evict you in retaliation for exercising your legal rights, filing complaints, or reporting code violations.
- Anti-Discrimination Protections: Housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, familial status, or source of income is illegal under both state and federal law.
--- MEASURE ULA — POTENTIAL BALLOT CHANGES JUNE 2, 2026 ---
Measure ULA, the "United to House LA" transfer tax on high-value property sales, may face changes on the June 2, 2026 ballot. The measure, which funds affordable housing and tenant assistance programs, has been a subject of ongoing debate. Renters should stay informed about any proposed amendments, as changes could affect funding for rental assistance, eviction defense, and affordable housing construction. Watch for updates from the LA City Clerk and local housing organizations.
--- RESOURCES FOR TENANTS ---
If you need help understanding your rights, reporting a violation, or fighting an unlawful eviction, these organizations can help. All of them have Spanish-speaking staff available.
LA Housing Department (LAHD)
Phone: (866) 557-7368
Website: housing.lacity.gov
Services: RSO information, rent increase verification, habitability complaints, code enforcement
SACO/SAJE (Strategic Actions for a Just Economy)
Phone: (213) 745-9961
Website: saje.net
Services: Tenant rights education, organizing support, eviction defense, community advocacy
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA)
Phone: (800) 399-4529
Website: lafla.org
Services: Free legal representation for low-income tenants, eviction defense, housing discrimination cases
Housing Rights Center
Phone: (800) 477-5977
Website: housingrightscenter.org
Services: Housing discrimination complaints, fair housing education, tenant counseling
Stay Housed LA
Website: stayhousedla.org
Services: Emergency rental assistance, eviction prevention, connecting tenants with legal resources
211 LA
Phone: 211 (dial from any phone)
Website: 211la.org
Services: General resource referrals for housing, food, healthcare, and other essential services
All of these organizations have bilingual staff and can assist you in Spanish. Do not wait until you receive an eviction notice to reach out — knowing your rights now can prevent problems later.
--- FINAL THOUGHTS ---
These new protections represent a major step forward for renters in Los Angeles and across California. Whether you are protected under the RSO, AB 1482, or the new state laws, 2026 is a year of expanded rights and stronger safeguards for tenants. Share this information with your neighbors, family, and friends — everyone deserves to know their rights.
Stay informed. Stay protected. Stay housed.
Sources: LA Housing Department, Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE), Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles (AAGLA), California State Legislature, LA Daily News
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