L.A. Mun. Code ch. XV art. 1; ch. XVI art. 5 § 151.01
DECLARATION OF PURPOSE (Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance)
Operative Text
There is a shortage of decent, safe and sanitary housing in the City of Los Angeles resulting in a critically low vacancy factor. Tenants displaced as a result of their inability to pay increased rents must relocate but as a result of such housing shortage are unable to find decent, safe and sanitary housing at affordable rent levels. Aware of the difficulty in finding decent housing, some tenants attempt to pay requested rent increases, but as a consequence must expend less on other necessities of life. This situation has had a detrimental effect on substantial numbers of renters in the City, especially creating hardships on senior citizens, persons on fixed incomes and low and moderate income households. This problem reached crisis level in the summer of 1978 following the passage of Proposition 13. At that time, the Council of the City of Los Angeles conducted hearings and caused studies to be made on the feasibility and desirability of various measures designed to address the problems created by the housing shortage. In August, 1978, pending development and adoption of measures designed to alleviate the City’s housing crisis, Council adopted Ordinance No. 151,415 which temporarily rolled back recently imposed rent increases, and prohibited most rent increases on residential rental properties for six months. Ordinance No. 151,415 expires on April 30, 1979. This ordinance has successfully reduced the rate of rent increases in the City, along with the concomitant hardships and displacements. However, a housing shortage still exists within the City of Los Angeles and total deregulation of rents at this time would immediately lead to widespread exorbitant rent increases, and recurrence of the crisis, problems and hardships which existed prior to the adoption of the moratorium measure. Therefore, it is necessary and reasonable to regulate rents so as to safeguard tenants from excessive rent increases, while at the same time providing landlords with just and reasonable returns from their rental units. In order to assure compliance with the provisions of this chapter violations of any of the provisions of this chapter may be raised as affirmative defenses in unlawful detainer proceedings. (Amended by Ord. No. 166,130, Eff. 9/16/90.)
Section 151.01 of L.A. Municipal Code Chapter XV, Article 1 sets out the legislative rationale behind Los Angeles's rent stabilization framework, tracing its origins to a housing shortage and vacancy crisis that reached a critical point in 1978 following Proposition 13. The provision establishes that the city's goal is to protect tenants from excessive rent increases while still allowing landlords to earn fair returns on their rental properties. Notably, it also provides that violations of the chapter's provisions may be raised as affirmative defenses in unlawful detainer (eviction) proceedings.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 151.01, the Los Angeles rent stabilization ordinance was enacted with the explicit intent of balancing tenant protections against landlords' right to just and reasonable returns. Compliant property owners and managers generally familiarize themselves with the full chapter's requirements, since the declaration of purpose in § 151.01 frames how the rest of the ordinance is interpreted and enforced. Understanding this foundational policy context helps operators anticipate how rent adjustment petitions and compliance obligations are evaluated by the city.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 151.01 establishes that the Los Angeles rent stabilization ordinance exists specifically to shield renters—particularly seniors, people on fixed incomes, and low- and moderate-income households—from excessive rent increases caused by the city's housing shortage. One significant protection built into this provision is that violations of the ordinance's chapter can be raised as affirmative defenses if a landlord initiates an unlawful detainer (eviction) proceeding. Tenants who believe the ordinance has been violated may consider contacting the Los Angeles Housing Department or a local tenant-rights organization to understand what options are generally available under § 151.01 and related provisions.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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