{"id":5352,"date":"2025-01-28T12:23:21","date_gmt":"2025-01-28T17:23:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rentpost.com\/resources\/?post_type=manual_kb&p=5352"},"modified":"2026-10-28T03:12:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T07:12:44","slug":"raise-rent-laws-in-los-angeles","status":"publish","type":"manual_kb","link":"https:\/\/rentpost.com\/resources\/article\/raise-rent-laws-in-los-angeles\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Can You Raise Rent in Los Angeles in 2026?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In 2026, the rent-increase limit in Los Angeles is 8.7% under California\u2019s statewide AB 1482 cap for most covered rentals, 3% for units covered by the City of Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), and 1.919%\u20133.919% for fully covered rentals in unincorporated Los Angeles County, depending on category. The 8.7% cap applies to increases taking effect from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027; the City RSO rate and County limits apply from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which limit applies depends on the property\u2019s address, whether the unit is covered or exempt, and local rules. This guide covers the rent caps, how often rent can go up, the notice landlords must give, and the most common questions from Los Angeles tenants and landlords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How Much Can You Raise Rent in Los Angeles?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Three rent caps can apply to a rental in the Los Angeles area. They are not interchangeable: the property\u2019s location and coverage status decide which one to check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rule<\/th>What it covers<\/th>Maximum increase<\/th>Effective period<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
California Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482)<\/td>Most residential rentals more than 15 years old, unless exempt<\/td>8.7% in the Los Angeles area (5% plus the change in cost of living, never more than 10%)<\/td>August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027<\/td><\/tr>
City of Los Angeles RSO<\/td>Qualifying units within City boundaries first built on or before October 1, 1978, plus certain replacement units<\/td>3%<\/td>July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027<\/td><\/tr>
Los Angeles County Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance<\/td>Fully covered units in unincorporated Los Angeles County<\/td>1.919% standard; 2.919% for qualifying small-property landlords; 3.919% for qualifying luxury units<\/td>July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A lower city or county cap applies instead of the statewide cap when a local ordinance covers the unit. Being exempt from the statewide cap does not automatically make a property subject to the City RSO; City location and the RSO\u2019s property and unit criteria must be checked separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chronology<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Rent<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Is the Rent Cap in Los Angeles?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Tenant Protection Act of 2019, also called AB 1482, generally limits covered rent increases to 5% plus the local cost-of-living change, with a 10% maximum during any 12-month period. It applies to most residential rentals more than 15 years old, but the law includes exemptions, including owner-occupied duplexes; Civil Code 1947.12<\/a> sets out the rule and its exceptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example:<\/strong> if the regional cost-of-living change is 3.9%, a landlord can raise rent by up to 8.9% (5% + 3.9%). If the cost-of-living change is 5% or more, the total allowable increase stays capped at 10%. For the Los Angeles area, the figure is 8.7% for increases taking effect from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027; see the state cap chart<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Rent<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Does Los Angeles Have Rent Control?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes.<\/strong> The City of Los Angeles has the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, unincorporated Los Angeles County has its own rent stabilization ordinance, and the statewide AB 1482 cap covers many rentals that neither local rule reaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rent control in Los Angeles dates back to World War II, when rent limits were introduced to curb inflation. The City\u2019s RSO grew out of the housing shortage of the late 1970s and covers buildings first built on or before October 1, 1978. The Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act<\/a> of 1995 later exempted new construction, single-family homes, and condos from local rent control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Los<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

City of Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The City RSO is a local ordinance, not a state law. It generally covers qualifying rental properties within City boundaries that were first built on or before October 1, 1978, as well as replacement units under RSO Section 151.28<\/a>; there are unit-specific exceptions. The LAHD overview<\/a> explains coverage. On a qualifying property, covered unit types include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n