What is the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO)?

Question

Accepted Answer

The Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) is a local law that limits how much a landlord can increase rent each year for qualifying properties.

Which rooms and rentals are covered by the RSO:

Rental units in buildings built on or before October 1, 1978
Units that have been continuously rented since July 1, 1979
Single-family homes and condos rented out are generally NOT covered

RSO rent increase limits in 2026: The allowed annual rent increase under the RSO is tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). For 2025–2026, the allowable increase is 4%. Landlords covered by the RSO cannot raise rent above this limit without approval.

Why this matters for room renters: If you are renting a room in an older building in Los Angeles, your room may be RSO-protected — even if your landlord does not mention it. You can check whether your address is covered on the LAHD website.