L.A. Mun. Code ch. XV art. 1; ch. XVI art. 5 § 165.09
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE FOR ECONOMIC DISPLACEMENT (Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance)
Operative Text
(Added by Ord. No. 187,764, Eff. 3/27/23.) A. A landlord of residential real property subject to this article shall provide the relocation assistance specified in this section to a tenant who elects to relinquish their tenancy following a proposed rental increase that exceeds the lesser of (1) the Consumer Price Index - All Urban Consumers, plus five percent, or (2) ten percent. For purposes of this subsection, the proposed rental increase, whether imposed as a single increase or payable periodically over a 12-month period, shall be calculated based on the highest legal monthly rate of rent established as of the date of the notice of rent increase, not any temporary, promotional, or discounted rent. B. A landlord may offset a tenant’s accumulated rent or other amounts due to the landlord against any relocation assistance payable under this section. C. Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph D., the relocation assistance amount due under this section shall be three times the fair market rent in the Los Angeles Metro area for a rental unit of a similar size as established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development plus $1,411 in moving costs. The Los Angeles Housing Department shall publish the required relocation amounts annually. D. The relocation assistance amount due under this section from a landlord of a single-family residence shall be reduced to an amount equal to one month’s rent (calculated at the rental amount payable by the tenant at the time of a written notice of a rent increase satisfying Section 165.09 A.) if the owner meets both of the following criteria: (1) the owner is a natural person or a natural person who holds the rental property in a trust or registered legal entity controlled by that natural person; and (2) the owner, and all trusts and legal entities controlled by the owner, owns a single-family dwelling unit and no more than four additional dwelling units in the City all of which are on a lot or lots separate from the single-family dwelling unit.
Under L.A. Mun. Code § 165.09, when a landlord proposes a rent increase exceeding the lower of CPI-plus-five-percent or ten percent, a tenant may choose to vacate and receive relocation assistance. The standard assistance equals three times HUD's fair market rent for a comparable unit in the Los Angeles Metro area, plus $1,411 in moving costs, though small individual landlords of single-family homes may qualify for a reduced amount of one month's rent instead.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Landlords covered by § 165.09 should be aware that proposing a qualifying large rent increase triggers a potential relocation-assistance obligation if the tenant elects to leave. Compliant operators typically calculate the correct assistance amount using the Los Angeles Housing Department's annually published figures, apply any permissible offset for unpaid rent or amounts owed, and verify whether the reduced single-family-owner provision applies to their situation.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 165.09, if your landlord proposes a rent increase above the applicable threshold, you have the right to elect to vacate and receive relocation assistance rather than accept the increase. Tenants can raise a violation of this provision as a defense in eviction proceedings, file a complaint with the Los Angeles Housing Department, or reach out to a tenant-rights organization to better understand available options.
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 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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