Rent Stabilization Update: Los Angeles Housing + Community Investment Department

Ready or not, 2020 is here! Why not start the New Year by paying your registration fees online and not waiting in line! Due to a recent amendment to Chapter XV of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, beginning in January 2020, the Los Angeles City Council approved a registration adjustment from $24.51 to $38.75 per rental unit covered under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO). This ordinance also provides that landlords may pass through 50% of the $38.75 RSO registration fee to the tenant on a monthly basis rather than once per year (previously in the month of August). A 30-day written notice must be given to the tenant to start collecting a monthly rental surcharge of $1.61 in 2020, but only after payment of the annual fee.

All Los Angeles City multi-housing property owners should have received their property registration bills by the first week of January. Registration fees and the Rent Registry for rent-stabilized properties are due by February 29, 2020; late fees apply for all payments received after that date!

The Housing + Community Investment Department (HCID+LA) anticipates all regional offices to be busy during this time due to the closure of our Koreatown office located at 3550 Wilshire Boulevard, 15th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90010. Due to this, it is highly recommended that property owners to pay their bill online at hcidlabill.lacity.org which also allows submissions of online temporary exemptions for units owner-occupied or no rent collected.

Once logged in, property owners can automatically maneuver to completing the Rent Registry without having to separately log in at registerLArent.org. The Rent Registry is a form in which landlords must also provide rental unit information for every rental unit subject to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), in addition to payment of the annual registration fee. Registration is complete only when all outstanding registration fees have been paid and all required rental amount and tenancy information, including emergency contact information, is provided. Landlords who pay their annual registration and submit their completed Rent Registry form online will receive their 2020 Annual Statement of Registration (Certificate) within minutes of online submission.

HCID+LA workshops will be offered throughout the month of January to assist landlords completing their registration. Additionally, a “Drop-In” session is available on the first Tuesday of the month from 2:00 to 4:00 by calling (213) 928-9075 to request an appointment. To learn more about the Rent Registry Program, please visit registerLArent.org or call (866) 557-RENT (7368).