L.A. Mun. Code ch. XV art. 1; ch. XVI art. 5 § 151.27
ELLIS ACT PROVISIONS - RE-RENTAL RIGHTS OF DISPLACED TENANTS (Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance)
Operative Text
(Added by Ord. No. 177,901, Eff. 9/29/06.) If a landlord desires to offer for rent or lease a rental unit that was the subject of a Notice of Intent to Withdraw pursuant to the provisions of Subsection A. of Section 151.23 , the following regulations apply: A. A landlord who offers accommodations for rent or lease within two years from the date of withdrawal shall first offer to rent or lease each unit to the tenant or tenants displaced from that unit by the withdrawal, provided that the tenant or tenants advised the landlord in writing within 30 days of displacement of the tenant’s or tenants’ desire to consider an offer to renew the tenancy, and provided the landlord with an address to which that offer is to be directed. That tenant or tenants may advise the landlord at any time during the period of eligibility of a change of address to which an offer is to be directed. If a landlord again offers accommodations for rent or lease pursuant to the provisions of this subsection, and the tenant or lessee has advised the landlord pursuant to this subsection of a desire to consider an offer to renew the tenancy, then the landlord shall offer to reinstitute a rental agreement or lease on terms permitted by law to that displaced tenant or lessee. A landlord who re-offers rental or lease accommodations to a previously displaced tenant pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall deposit the offer in the United States mail, by registered or certified mail with postage prepaid, addressed to the displaced tenant or tenants at the address furnished to the landlord as provided in this subsection, and shall describe the terms of the offer. The displaced tenant or tenants shall have 30 days from the deposit of the offer in the mail to accept the offer by personal delivery of that acceptance or by deposit of the acceptance in the United States mail by registered or certified mail with postage prepaid. B. A landlord who offers accommodations for rent or lease not exceeding ten years from the date of withdrawal shall first offer to rent or lease each unit to the tenant or tenants displaced from that accommodation by the withdrawal, provided that the tenant or tenants requests the offer in writing within 30 days after the landlord has notified the Department of an intention to offer the accommodations again for residential rent or lease pursuant to the requirements of Section 151.24 . The landlord shall be liable to any tenant or tenants who were displaced by that action for failure to comply with this subsection, for punitive damages in an amount that does not exceed the contract rent for six months. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,224, Eff. 12/13/17.) C. Pursuant to California Government Code Section 7060.3, the City may apply the constraints as set forth in this section to a successor in interest of a landlord who has withdrawn a rental unit from rent or lease, by recording a notice, to be indexed in the grantor-grantee index, with the County Recorder which shall specifically describe the property where the rental unit is located, the dates applicable to the constraints and the name of the owner(s) of record of the property. (Added by Ord. No. 184,873, Eff. 6/4/17.)
Section 151.27 of the L.A. Municipal Code governs what happens when a landlord who previously withdrew rental units under the Ellis Act wants to re-offer those units for rent or lease. Within two years of withdrawal, the landlord must first offer the unit back to the displaced tenant—provided that tenant notified the landlord in writing within 30 days of displacement of their interest in returning and supplied a mailing address. Within ten years of withdrawal, a similar right of first offer applies once the landlord notifies the city of an intent to re-rent, and failure to comply can expose the landlord to punitive damages of up to six months' contract rent. The provision also allows the city to record constraints against successor property owners, ensuring these obligations can follow the property even after a sale.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators managing properties previously withdrawn under the Ellis Act should be aware that § 151.27 creates a structured re-rental process before a unit can be offered to the general public. Within the two-year window, a compliant operator sends a re-offer by registered or certified U.S. mail to the address the displaced tenant provided, describes the proposed terms, and allows the tenant 30 days to accept. Within the ten-year window, a compliant operator notifies the Department of the intent to re-rent and then checks whether any displaced tenant has submitted a timely written request for a first-offer, keeping in mind that non-compliance carries potential punitive damages of up to six months' contract rent under § 151.27(B).
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 151.27, tenants displaced through an Ellis Act withdrawal have a right of first offer if the landlord decides to re-rent the unit within two years or up to ten years of the withdrawal date. To preserve the two-year right, a displaced tenant generally needs to notify the landlord in writing—within 30 days of displacement—of their interest in returning and provide a current mailing address, which can be updated at any time during the eligibility period. Tenants who believe a landlord has re-rented without honoring these obligations may consider filing a complaint with the Los Angeles Housing Department, raising the violation in any relevant legal proceeding, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on options available under § 151.27.
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 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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