Key Insights on Los Angeles Right to Counsel Ordinance

 

Attention Landlords: Understanding the New Right to Counsel Ordinance in Los Angeles

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

• New Regulation: Understand the Right to Counsel (RTC) ordinance effective August 20, 2025.
• Key Requirements: Provide notices to tenants regarding their right to legal assistance.
• Non-Compliance Risks: Landlords may face significant repercussions if they fail to comply.
• Actionable Insights: Update lease agreements and provide staff training on requirements.

Table of Contents

• Key Requirements for Landlords
• Implications of Non-Compliance
• Actionable Insights
• Conclusion
• FAQ

Key Requirements for Landlords

Under this new ordinance, all landlords of rental units within the City of Los Angeles must adhere to several crucial requirements:

1. Provide a Notice of Right to Counsel: At the beginning of each tenancy, landlords are mandated to offer a notice written in the tenant’s primary language. This includes details about their rights to legal assistance (source).
2. Attach Notices to Evictions and Subsidy Terminations: Any eviction notice served on tenants must include the RTC notice. The same applies to any notices regarding the termination of rental housing subsidies, such as Section 8 (source).
3. Post Notices in Common Areas: A conspicuous posting of the RTC notice in a highly visible area of the residential building is required. This ensures that tenants can easily access vital information regarding their rights (source).
4. Administrative Correspondence: Any relevant administrative correspondence that may lead to a termination of rental assistance must also include the RTC notice (source).

Implications of Non-Compliance

Failing to comply with these requirements can have serious repercussions for landlords. An eligible tenant may assert an affirmative defense against eviction if the landlord does not adhere to the RTC ordinance, which could ultimately hinder or dismiss eviction efforts altogether (source).

With an average of 4,000 eviction filings per month in Los Angeles, understanding this upcoming regulation is critical for prudent property management (source).

Actionable Insights

As landlords prepare for the implementation of the RTC ordinance, consider the following steps:

• Update your lease agreements to include provisions for the RTC notice distribution.
• Ensure that your staff or property managers are properly trained on these new requirements.
• Utilize resources available at housing.lacity.gov/RTC for downloadable forms and translations to comply with notifications.

Conclusion

Staying informed and prepared is key to navigating the evolving landscape of landlord-tenant laws in Los Angeles. At Harcourt’s Realty, we understand the complexities of property management and are here to help you adapt to these changes. If you have questions about the RTC ordinance or require assistance with property management, please to contact us today or explore our services to ensure compliance and protect your investments.

FAQ

• What is the Right to Counsel Ordinance? The RTC ordinance provides tenants with access to legal representation during eviction proceedings.
• When does the ordinance take effect? The ordinance is effective August 20, 2025.
• What are the consequences of non-compliance? Landlords risk facing an affirmative defense against eviction if they fail to comply with the ordinance.