Los Angeles Rent Control Violation Lawyer

Local rent regulation in the Los Angeles area is complex, and Baghikian Law helps tenants identify violations, enforce their protections, and pursue the damages available under California law. Rent rules can come from several layers at once, and the details decide what a landlord may lawfully charge.

Which Rent Rules Apply in Los Angeles

City of Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) applies to multi-family units built on or before October 1, 1978 (annual increase currently 3%, effective July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2027). City of LA Just Cause Eviction Ordinance (JCO) covers newer units (post-10/1/1978) not under RSO, effective January 27, 2023, requires just cause to terminate tenancy but does not cap rent. Statewide, AB 1482, the Tenant Protection Act, caps many annual increases at 5 percent plus local CPI, never to exceed 10 percent, and requires just cause for most terminations after 12 months. Because coverage turns on the building age, the number of units, and the jurisdiction, we confirm exactly which protections apply to a Los Angeles unit before advising.

Illegal Rent Increases and Overcharges

Where a Los Angeles landlord raises rent beyond the lawful cap, fails to register a covered unit, or imposes improper pass-through charges, tenants may be entitled to refunds and statutory damages. We analyze your rent history against the applicable ordinance and pursue recovery for renters in Koreatown, Silver Lake, Hollywood, Boyle Heights, Watts, Mid-City, Palms, and Echo Park and throughout the city.

Enforcing Your Protections

We pursue claims for unlawful rent increases, unregistered units, improper fees and pass-throughs, and failure to pay required relocation assistance. If you believe your rent has been raised unlawfully in Los Angeles, we can review the facts and enforce the protections the law provides.

Read our full rent control violations overview