This guide is for residents in the city of Los Angeles, with some information for other nearby areas. If you are not sure if you are within city limits, see our guide What City Am I in?

Most laws for tenants and landlords are made at the state level, so be sure to also read our Guide to Laws for Tenants and Renters in California.

However, for renters under rent control, the city of Los Angeles has many specific laws. See our Guide to Rent Control in Los Angeles.

Coronavirus update

The ban on evictions for tenants who are unable to pay rent due to circumstances related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is over. This means these types of evictions may proceed. See our Guide to Evictions in California.

Do landlords need to provide air conditioning to tenants in Los Angeles?

Air conditioning is not required for rentals in California. That said, some local governments have implemented or considered rules mandating a maximum temperature for rentals.

As of August 2025, in Los Angeles County unincorporated areas, landlords must ensure that rental units do not exceed 82 degrees fahrenheit. This may be done through installing air conditioning, or through alternative means, including blackout curtains, reflective roofing, and double-pane windows. The new rules will not be enforced until January 2027.

The Los Angeles City Council appears to be moving towards requiring air conditioning to be provided to all rental units. We will keep you updated on the latest.

Is there rental assistance available for renters who cannot pay their rent?

Currently there is no rental assistance available from the city of Los Angeles. However, there are zero-interest loans for rent from JFLA and Step Fund.

Do tenants facing eviction have a right to a lawyer?

As of April 2025, under the new Right to Counsel ordinance in Los Angeles, many tenants in the city of Los Angeles will now be able to get a lawyer free of charge to help defend against eviction. There is also a right to counsel ordinance for unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County (where are unincorporated areas?). Under both of these new programs, free eviction attorneys will be provided to tenants earning less than 80% of the area’s median income. Right now, that means up to $77,700 per year for an individual or $110,950 for a family of four.

Contact Stay Housed LA for more information.

What should tenants do if they receive an eviction notice?

See our Guide to Evictions in California.

What should I do if I receive a notice of an Unlawful Detainer?

If you reach the expiration date listed on the “Notice to Pay Rent or Quit”, you may receive a formal eviction or “Unlawful Detainer.” This means you may have to go to court to fight the eviction. Do not ignore a notice from the court or Unlawful Detainer notification!

Get legal assistance ASAP.

Tenants do not have to leave their units unless they are served with a Sheriff’s Order, which happens after the case is heard in Court.

Get Help

For more information, go to the Los Angeles Housing Department website. If you need help with your case, try Stay Housed LA. Or you can find a good “landlord tenant lawyer” or alternative options.

Further Resources

Many laws for tenants and landlords are made at the state level, so be sure to read our Guide to Laws for Tenants and Renters in California. See our Legal Basics for more info on how the local, state, and federal laws work together.

However, for renters under rent control, the city of Los Angeles has many specific laws. See our Guide to Rent Control in Los Angeles.