Since August 20, 2025, the Los Angeles Right to Counsel ordinance requires landlords to give every tenant a Notice of Right to Counsel at the start of the tenancy, include it with every eviction notice, and post it in a common area. Skip it and the tenant may have a defense in an eviction case.
Key takeaways from the video
- The City of Los Angeles Right to Counsel ordinance took effect August 20, 2025.
- Landlords must give tenants a Notice of Right to Counsel at the beginning of the tenancy, in the tenant's primary language.
- The notice must be attached to any eviction notice and to any notice terminating a rental housing subsidy such as Section 8.
- The notice must also be posted in a conspicuous common area of the building.
Read the full transcript
Los Angeles Housing Department in the city of Los Angeles, so those multi-units that are RSO, they have a new rule for property owners or landlords, and it's called the right to counsel. This is an ordinance. It's going to be effective August 20th, 2025, and it requires landlords or rental units located in the city of Los Angeles to provide a notice of right to counsel at the beginning of tenancy in the tenant's primary language, attach a notice of right to counsel to a copy of any eviction notice served on the tenant, attach a notice of right to counsel to any notice of termination of a rental housing subsidy, section 8, attach a notice of right to counsel to any rental housing subsidy administrative proceeding correspondence that result in the termination of the tenant's rental housing subsidy, and then finally, post the notice of right to counsel in a conspicuous common area of the building where the tenant resides. There's a lot of little laws like this, and I'm going to start bringing some of the things because one thing that I've noticed is just one example of that.
So this is going to be brand new, and it's going to be added to the multitude of different things that you're supposed to do. Just this year, the security deposit thing has been really interesting because we had to take photos and videos, which again, makes sense. And usually some bad apples really make it bad for all the other landlords or property owners. But it's very hard to be a self-managed landlord.
But, you know, as long as you sign up for the lacity.gov, they're pretty good. They'll send you emails and you can go to their website and find out different information. But this is just one thing. This is a Los Angeles City area, which is the RSO area.
But this Right to Counsel notice just came by our email today and I wanted to share that with all of you. So if you have any questions, give me a holler. I'm Tony Self with Harcourts. We do property management and investment sales and multifamily thank you very much for watching and we'll see you very soon
Transcript from the video's YouTube captions. Informational only, not legal advice.
Understand the RTC ordinance: Effective August 20, 2025, it requires landlords to inform tenants of their rights to legal assistance.
Key compliance requirements: Regular notifications, visible postings, and inclusion in eviction notices.
Non-compliance risks: Eviction efforts may be obstructed and potential legal defenses for tenants.
Action steps: Update lease agreements, train staff, and establish protocols for compliance.
Under the RTC ordinance, landlords must adhere to specific requirements:
Initial Tenancy Notification: Landlords are required to provide a Notice of Right to Counsel at the onset of each tenancy. This notice must be in the tenant’s primary language and contains important details about their legal rights (source: Los Angeles Housing Department).
Eviction & Subsidy Termination Notices: Every eviction notice served must include the RTC notice. This applies similarly to any notices regarding the termination of rental housing subsidies, such as Section 8 (source: AAGLA).
Common Area Posting: The RTC notice must be posted in a visible area within the building, ensuring tenants have easy access to vital information about their rights (source: Los Angeles Housing Department).
Administrative Correspondence: The RTC notice should be included in any relevant administrative correspondence that could lead to the termination of rental assistance (source: AAGLA).
Implications of Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with these legislative requirements can lead to serious repercussions. Tenants may assert an affirmative defense against eviction if a landlord does not follow the RTC ordinance, potentially blocking eviction efforts altogether (source: Los Angeles Housing Department). Given that Los Angeles sees an average of 4,000 eviction filings per month, understanding and adhering to this ordinance is crucial for property management (source: AAGLA).
Actionable Insights
To prepare for the RTC ordinance implementation, landlords should take the following steps:
Update Lease Agreements: Include provisions for distributing the RTC notice within your lease agreements.
Staff Training: Ensure that property managers and staff are well-informed about the requirements of the RTC ordinance.
Use Available Resources: Access downloadable forms and language translations from the Los Angeles Housing Department’s RTC resource page.
Establish Compliance Protocols: Develop internal protocols to ensure that the RTC notices are distributed and posted in a timely manner.
Conclusion
Being informed and prepared is essential for landlords as they navigate the evolving landscape of tenant rights in Los Angeles. At Harcourt's Realty, we recognize the complexities involved in property management and are ready to assist you in adapting to these changes. For expert guidance on the RTC ordinance or to seek tailored property management solutions, contact us today and ensure your investments are protected!
FAQ
What is the Right to Counsel Ordinance?
It's a law ensuring eligible tenants have access to free legal representation during eviction and administrative proceedings (source: Los Angeles Housing Department).
When does the ordinance take effect?
The effective date is August 20, 2025 (source: AAGLA).
Who is eligible under this ordinance?
The ordinance applies to tenants at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI) who seek prompt legal assistance (source: Civil Right to Counsel).
What happens if landlords don’t comply?
Non-compliance may allow tenants to use it as a defense in eviction cases, potentially obstructing eviction efforts (source: AAGLA).
By adjusting to these new requirements proactively, you can avoid potential legal issues and enhance your service as a landlord. Remember to stay informed and compliant!
Questions about how this affects your rental?
Tony Self has owned and managed LA County income property since 1995. Reach out - free consultation, no pressure.
Talk to Tony