L.A. Mun. Code ch. XV art. 1; ch. XVI art. 5 § 151.33
TENANT ANTI-HARASSMENT (Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance)
Operative Text
(Added by Ord. No. 187,109, Eff. 8/6/21.) Tenants in all RSO rental units are protected from harassment as provided in Article 5.3 of Chapter IV of the Los Angeles Municipal Code. In addition to the prohibited conduct listed in Section 45.33 of this Code, tenant harassment includes offering payments to a tenant to vacate their unit without providing written notice to the tenant of their rights under Section 151.31 of this Code (Tenant Buyout Notification Program), using the form prescribed by the Department. However, this shall not prohibit offers made in pending unlawful detainer actions.
Under L.A. Mun. Code ch. XV art. 1; ch. XVI art. 5 § 151.33, tenants living in Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) units are shielded from a defined set of harassing conduct. Beyond the prohibited behaviors already listed elsewhere in the code, this provision specifically classifies offering a tenant money to leave their unit as harassment when the landlord has not first provided the tenant with written notice of their rights under the Tenant Buyout Notification Program (§ 151.31), using the city-prescribed form. This rule does not apply to offers made in the context of a pending unlawful detainer (eviction) action.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating RSO units subject to § 151.33 generally ensure that any cash-for-vacancy offer is preceded by delivery of the Department-prescribed written notice informing the tenant of their rights under the Tenant Buyout Notification Program (§ 151.31). Compliant operators keep records showing that the correct form was provided before any buyout offer was extended. The carve-out for pending unlawful detainer actions means this written-notice requirement does not apply when a formal eviction proceeding is already underway, but operators typically consult the relevant city agency or legal counsel to confirm the status of any pending action before proceeding.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in RSO units are entitled under § 151.33 to receive the city-prescribed written notice of their Tenant Buyout Notification Program rights (§ 151.31) before a landlord may lawfully offer them money to vacate — and a landlord's failure to provide that notice can itself constitute harassment under the code. Tenants who believe this provision has been violated may consider filing a complaint with the Los Angeles Housing Department, which administers the RSO, or raising the violation through other available enforcement channels. Tenant-rights organizations in Los Angeles can help explain what the written notice should contain and what options are generally available when it is not provided.
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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