Table of Contents
General advice for tenants in crisis
Landlords all across the city treat tenants badly: they refuse to make repairs, they lie to push tenants out, they raise the rents. To stop these problems, we need to build a strong movement. We can’t do that by providing a lot of one-on-one help to people facing these issues.
If your landlord is treating everyone in your building badly, and you are interested in fighting back together, we encourage you to join the union and form a tenants’ association.
If your problem is more individual, we may not be able to help you very much except for by giving the information on this website. Here is some general advice:
- Don’t let your landlord pressure you to make decisions quickly. You NEVER have to sign something you don’t understand. Tell them, “I am under no legal obligation to sign this and I need time to learn my rights and get advice.”
- Communicate with your landlord only in writing–by email, letter (that you take pictures of), or text. They may lie to you in a conversation, but they are less likely to lie to you in writing. You want to have proof of what they told you.
I'm facing eviction
The eviction process can be long and complicated, but some kinds of eviction paperwork need to be responded to very quickly. Here are resources where there are workshops specifically about the eviction process:
StayHoused L.A.
Tenant Power Toolkit
Eviction Defense Network
The most important thing to know is that if you get a Summons & Complaint, you need to file an answer within five days. You can do that using the Tenant Power Toolkit, either on the website or at an in-person workshop. If you don’t, you can automatically lose your case.
My landlord is pressuring me to move out
Is your landlord offering you money to move out of your rent-stabilized apartment? We generally say DO NOT ACCEPT CASH FOR KEYS! Landlords lie to tenants and pressure them to leave their rent-stabilized homes so they can re-rent the apartments for more money.
Here is our flyer on cash-for-keys. Before you consider accepting, look around for other apartments you can afford. The short answer is, just say no.
Contact the union if your building is facing cash-for-keys harassment.
My landlord won't make repairs
Landlords are required by state law to provide habitable premises. Notify your landlord in writing whenever you need a repair; that way, you have proof.
If your landlord won’t make repairs, you can file a complaint with the L.A. Housing Department using their online form (click “report a code violation”), by calling them at , or by visiting an in-person service counter.
Then an inspector will call you to schedule an inspection and issue a Notice to Comply to the landlord.
For pests and mold, you need to file complaints with the L.A. County Department of Public Health (not the L.A. Housing Department). You can do that here or by calling (888) 700-9995.
If you are dealing with bad conditions, most likely your neighbors are too. Ask them about it and try to file complaints at the same time. You are more likely to get results that way.
My landlord is harassing me
My landlord is telling me I have to move out
Is this rent increase legal?
To know whether a rent increase is legal, you need to know what protections apply to your apartment. Is your apartment covered by the Rent Stabilization Ordinance? Is it covered by the 2019 Tenant Protection Act? Both of those limit how much the landlord can raise the rent.
For apartments protected by the RSO: Between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2024 the landlords can raise the rent 4% in rent-stabilized apartments, plus an additional 1% if they pay for gas and 1% if they pay for electricity. More information is available here.
For apartments protected by the Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482): For L.A. County, landlords are permitted to raise the rent up to X percent. More information is available here.
Obviously these rent increases are too high for many of us. We need stronger rent control. Vote YES for the Justice for Renters act in November.
I want to break my lease
Here is very helpful information from Tenants Together on breaking a lease.
