How Much Can I Raise Rent in LA County? (2026)
For July 2025 through June 2026, you can raise rent by a maximum of 1.93% on fully covered units in unincorporated LA County. If you qualify as a small property landlord and self-certify with DCBA, you can increase by 2.93%. Luxury units qualify for up to 3.93%. These limits apply only to properties covered by the Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance (RSTPO), which became effective April 1, 2020. This primarily includes multi-unit buildings with a Certificate of Occupancy issued before February 1, 1995.
July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 (Standard Fully Covered Units)
⚠️ LA County vs LA City: Know the Difference
| Jurisdiction | Max Increase | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| LA County RSTPO | 1.93% | 60% of CPI, capped at 3% |
| LA City RSO | 3% + 2% utilities = 5% | 100% of CPI (3-8% range) |
LA County is ~60% more restrictive than LA City. Marina del Rey, Altadena, East LA = County. Venice, Silver Lake, Hollywood = City. Verify your jurisdiction before calculating increases.
Not sure which jurisdiction applies to your property? (213) 444-2225
LA County Rent Increase Rates by Property Type
| Property Type | Rate | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Fully Covered | 1.93% | Default for all RSTPO-covered units |
| Small Property Landlord | 2.93% | Must self-certify with DCBA annually |
| Luxury Unit | 3.93% | 25+ unit building, 2BR or less, $4,000+/month as of Sept 11, 2018 |
| Just Cause Only | No limit | Built after Feb 1, 1995 (may be subject to AB 1482) |
Understanding the Three Tiers
Standard Fully Covered Units
This is the default rate for all rental units fully covered by RSTPO. Your property qualifies if it has 2+ units, is located in unincorporated LA County, and has a Certificate of Occupancy from before February 1, 1995.
How to Qualify for the Extra 1%
You can add an extra 1% to the standard increase if you meet specific criteria and file annual self-certification with DCBA.
You qualify if you meet ONE of these:
- You receive Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption on the rental property, OR
- You own only ONE rental property with 10 or fewer units, OR
- You own no more than 3 properties with combined total of 10 or fewer units
You must file Self-Certification form with DCBA annually.
Luxury Units (+2%)
You can add an extra 2% to the standard increase if your unit meets ALL of the following criteria:
- Located in a building with 25 or more rental units
- Unit has 2 bedrooms or fewer
- Monthly rent was $4,000+ as of September 11, 2018
Not sure which tier your property falls into? We can help you verify coverage and optimize your rental strategy.
📞 (213) 444-2225How LA County Calculates Rent Increases
📐 The RSTPO Formula
LA County uses 60% of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) change over the previous 12 months ending in September. The result is capped at a maximum of 3% for standard units, regardless of how high CPI goes.
If your current rent is $2,000/month, the maximum increase for a standard fully covered unit would be: $2,000 × 1.93% = $38.60/month. Your new maximum rent would be $2,038.60.
| Period | Standard | Small Property | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 – June 30, 2025 | 2.565% | 3.565% | 4.565% |
| July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 | 1.93% | 2.93% | 3.93% |
Rules for Implementing Your Rent Increase
Timing Requirements
- Once per 12 months: You can only raise rent once every 12 months on RSTPO-covered units
- 30-day notice minimum: You must provide written notice at least 30 days before the increase takes effect
- 90-day notice: Required if the increase exceeds 10% (unlikely under RSTPO limits)
Registration Requirements
Before you can legally increase rent, you must:
- Register your property with LA County's Rent Registry at rentregistry.dcba.lacounty.gov
- Have no outstanding housing, health, or safety violations
- Be current on registration fees
If your property is unregistered, you cannot legally implement rent increases. If you raise rent without proper registration, tenants can file a complaint with DCBA, and you may be required to refund the excess plus face penalties.
No Banking Allowed
Unlike some jurisdictions, LA County does NOT allow banking of unused rent increases. If you skip this year's 1.93% increase, you cannot add it to next year's allowable amount. Each year's increase is use-it-or-lose-it.
Thinking About Selling Your Rental?
Rent control affects property values. We specialize in LA County rent-controlled properties and can help you understand your options.
Free consultation: rent control valuation, exit strategies, or investment analysis
What If Your Property Isn't Fully Covered?
If your property is in unincorporated LA County but doesn't meet the "fully covered" criteria (built after February 1, 1995 or single-family home), you may still have:
- Just Cause Only protection: Your tenants can't be evicted without legal reason, but you have no rent caps
- AB 1482 coverage: California's statewide law may apply, limiting your increases to 5% + CPI (max 10%)
LA County's RSTPO (February 1, 1995 cutoff) is completely different from LA City's RSO (October 1, 1978 cutoff). Marina del Rey is unincorporated LA County. Venice is LA City. Altadena is County. Pasadena has its own ordinance. Always verify your exact jurisdiction first.
Penalties for Exceeding Rent Limits
If you increase rent beyond the allowable amount:
- Rent rollback: You'll be required to reduce rent to the legal amount
- Refunds: You must repay all excess rent collected
- Tenant complaints: Tenants can file an Application for Adjustment with DCBA
- Legal liability: Potential for additional damages in tenant lawsuits
Need help navigating rent control compliance? Get expert guidance from someone who works with LA County landlords every week.
🏠 (213) 444-2225Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I raise rent in LA County in 2026?
For July 2025 through June 2026, you can raise rent by 1.93% on fully covered units in unincorporated LA County. If you qualify as a small property landlord and self-certify with DCBA, you can increase by 2.93%. Luxury units qualify for up to 3.93%. Note: LA County is significantly more restrictive than LA City RSO (3-5%).
What is the rent increase formula in LA County?
LA County calculates your allowable rent increase at 60% of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) change over the previous 12 months ending in September, capped at 3% maximum. For July 2025-June 2026, this formula resulted in 1.93%. This is more restrictive than LA City RSO, which uses 100% of CPI.
How often can I raise rent in LA County?
You can only raise rent once every 12 months on fully covered RSTPO units. You must provide at least 30 days written notice and cannot exceed the annual allowable percentage set by DCBA.
How do I qualify for the extra 1% rent increase in LA County?
You can add an extra 1% to the standard rent increase (for 2.93% total) by meeting ONE of these criteria: (1) receive the Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption on the property, (2) own only one rental property with 10 or fewer units, OR (3) own no more than 3 properties with a combined total of 10 or fewer units. You must file annual self-certification with DCBA.
Does my luxury unit qualify for a higher rent increase?
Your unit qualifies for the extra 2% luxury increase (3.93% total) if it meets ALL of these criteria: located in a building with 25+ units, has 2 bedrooms or fewer, and received $4,000+ monthly rent as of September 11, 2018. You must include a disclosure in the rent increase notice.
What happens if I raise rent more than allowed?
If you exceed the allowable rent increase, tenants can file an Application for Adjustment with DCBA. You may be required to roll back the rent, refund all excess amounts collected, and could face additional penalties for violations.
Do I have to register my property to raise rent in LA County?
Yes. You must register your rental property with DCBA's Rent Registry and have no outstanding violations to legally increase rent on fully covered units. Unregistered properties cannot implement rent increases.
Can I bank unused rent increases in LA County?
No. Unlike some jurisdictions, LA County does not allow banking of unused rent increases. If you skip a year's increase, you cannot apply it in future years. Each annual allowable increase is use-it-or-lose-it.
