L.A. Mun. Code ch. XV art. 1; ch. XVI art. 5 § 165.07
REMEDIES (Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance)
Operative Text
(Amended by Ord. No. 188,685, Eff. 8/4/25.) In any action by a landlord to recover possession of residential real property, the tenant may raise as an affirmative defense the failure of the landlord to comply with this article. In addition, any landlord who violates this article shall be liable in a civil action to the affected tenant. A tenant prevailing in court under this article shall be awarded three times compensatory damages (including, if applicable, as compensation for mental or emotional distress and/or for reimbursement for failure to pay the amount of relocation assistance required under Section 165.06 of this article), reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, civil penalties up to $10,000 but not less than $2,000 per violation depending upon the severity of the violation, and other appropriate relief, as adjudged by the court. If a tenant prevailing under this article is older than 65 years or disabled when the violation occurred, the court may impose additional civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation depending upon the severity of the violation. Violations of this Article shall be a misdemeanor.
Under L.A. Mun. Code ch. XVI art. 5 § 165.07, when a landlord attempts to recover possession of a residential unit, a tenant may raise the landlord's noncompliance with the article as a defense in that proceeding. Beyond serving as a defense, the article creates a civil cause of action: a tenant who prevails in court can be awarded triple compensatory damages—which may include compensation for emotional distress and unreimbursed relocation assistance—along with attorney's fees, costs, and civil penalties ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 per violation based on severity. Tenants who were over 65 or disabled at the time of the violation may be eligible for an additional civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation, and violations of the article also carry misdemeanor status under criminal law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under L.A. Mun. Code ch. XVI art. 5 § 165.07 should be aware that noncompliance with this article carries significant financial exposure, including treble damages, attorney's fees, and per-violation civil penalties that escalate based on the severity of the conduct and the characteristics of the affected tenant. Compliant operators generally ensure that all obligations under the article—including any required relocation assistance under § 165.06—are fully satisfied before initiating any action to recover possession of a residential unit. Because violations can also constitute a misdemeanor, operators typically maintain thorough documentation of their compliance efforts throughout the process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 165.07 of L.A. Mun. Code ch. XVI art. 5, if a landlord brings an eviction or possession action against you, any failure by the landlord to comply with this article can be raised as an affirmative defense in that proceeding. Separately, you may have the right to bring your own civil action and, if you prevail, recover three times your compensatory damages, attorney's fees and costs, and civil penalties of at least $2,000 and up to $10,000 per violation—with the possibility of an additional $5,000 per violation if you were over 65 or disabled when the violation occurred. Tenants exploring these options can consult a tenant-rights organization, a legal aid provider, or an attorney familiar with Los Angeles rent regulations to understand which enforcement paths may be available.
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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