IN 2025, klah led a successful campaign to strengthen the la rent stabilization ordinance.
IN 2025, klah led a successful campaign to strengthen the la rent stabilization ordinance
Read below about the historic campaign, the new protections LA renters now enjoy, and how to exercise your rights as a tenant.
what we won
for tenants in rent stabilized units
The LA Rent Stabilization Ordinance limits how much landlords can raise the rent each year for rent-stabilized units, which includes most multi-family housing units within the City of LA built before 1978. This impacts over 1.5 million tenants in LA.
Each year, the LA Housing Department sets the permitted rent increase for that year, based on inflation, within a set range. Prior to 2025, this range had not been updated since 1978.
Because of the success of our LARSO campaign, for LARSO units…
Rent increases are limited to 1-4% yearly instead of 3-8%
Rent increases are based on 90% CPI (Consumer Price Index) instead of 100%
No extra 1-2% increase if landlord pays for gas and/or electricity
No 10% increase for additional dependents in your unit
LA Times:
"In historic vote, L.A. caps rent increases for rent-stabilized apartments at 4%"“The city has not done enough to protect renters,” said Councilmember Nithya Raman, who wrote the proposal. “What we have right now is an opportunity to make L.A. more affordable, because when people can afford to stay in Los Angeles, this entire city thrives.”
The vote came as L.A. and many parts of the country are struggling with a housing affordability crisis, and after democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayor’s election on a pledge to “freeze the rent.”
Read about the larso campaign in the press
Telemundo:
"Limitan al 4% el aumento de las rentas en Los Ángeles, pero no todos están conformes"“Con 12 votos a favor y dos en contra, el Concejo Municipal de Los Ángeles modificó la ley de estabilización de renta, por primera vez en 40 años. También eliminó los aumentos por servicios de luz o gas incluidos en la renta.”
The LA Reporter:
"Tenants win LA city rent hike cap after two years of organizing"“Two years of organizing by community groups and tenants finally resulted last week in the Los Angeles City Council green-lighting changes to the city’s rent stabilization law that caps the amount landlords can hike rents at 4%, with a floor of 1%. The change, approved at a meeting on Nov. 12, 2025, still need to be drafted into ordinance language, which will be brought back to the City Council for consideration.”
See how your rent will increase over time under the newly updated LARSO policy, and determine whether rent increases you’ve received are legal.
The LA Rent Stabilization Ordinance limits annual rent increases for most multi-family housing within LA City built before 1978. Confirm whether your unit has LARSO protections by visiting zimas.lacity.org, entering your address, and looking under the “Housing” tab. If your unit is not covered under LARSO, you may have other rent stabilization protections.
Landlords can only raise rent once per 12 months, with a written 30-day notice.
If you receive a annual rent increase between February 2-July 1, 2026, it should not be above 3%. After July 1, the LA Housing Department will determine the allowed rent increase for each year, based on inflation. It will always be between 1-4%.
After February 2, landlords can no longer add extra increases for gas and/or electricity. Your annual rent increase should never be above 4%, regardless of how your utilities are paid.
You can no longer get a 10% increase for bringing an additional occupant into your unit, as long as they’re your dependent. You can still get a 10% increase for additional occupants who aren’t dependents, if they live there 30+ days and your landlord gives you proper notice.
If you get an illegal rent increase, you can file a complaint with the LA Housing Department, at housing.lacity.gov/residents/file-a-rso-complaint, or by calling 1-866-557-7368.
Need help? Visit stayhousedla.org/workshops.
