L.A. Mun. Code ch. XV art. 1; ch. XVI art. 5 § 165.10
JUST CAUSE ENFORCEMENT FEE (Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance)
Operative Text
(Title and Section Amended by Ord. No. 188,468, Eff. 1/27/25.) A. For each rental unit subject to this chapter, a landlord shall pay an annual registration fee of $31.05 (the “ Just Cause Enforcement Fee ”). The Just Cause Enforcement Fee shall be due on the first day of January of each year and is deemed late if received after the last day of February. A landlord who fails to pay the Just Cause Enforcement Fee by the last day of February is deemed delinquent and shall pay a penalty in an amount determined by the Department at its sole discretion. B. No landlord shall demand or accept rent for a rental unit subject to this chapter without first doing all of the following: (1) procuring a valid annual registration statement for the Department for the subject property by paying the Just Cause Enforcement Fee plus any penalty for late payment, if applicable: and (2) serving on the tenant a copy of the valid registration statement or posting a copy of the registration statement in a conspicuous place at the subject property. C. If the Department, in its judgment, determines that good cause exists for a landlord’s failure to timely pay the Just Cause Enforcement Fee in accordance with the provisions of this section, the Department may waive the penalties or fines required by this section. The Department may promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.
Under L.A. Mun. Code ch. XVI art. 5 § 165.10, landlords of covered rental units in Los Angeles must pay a $31.05 annual Just Cause Enforcement Fee by January 1 each year, with a grace period through the end of February. A landlord who has not paid this fee—and served or posted a valid registration statement—is prohibited from demanding or collecting rent until those steps are completed. The Department administering this provision has discretion to waive penalties when it finds good cause for a late payment.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental units covered by § 165.10 generally stay in compliance by paying the $31.05 Just Cause Enforcement Fee before the January 1 due date each year and no later than the end of February to avoid a delinquency penalty set at the Department's discretion. Before collecting rent, a compliant landlord obtains a valid annual registration statement from the Department and either delivers a copy to each tenant or posts it conspicuously at the property. Landlords who believe they have a legitimate reason for missing the deadline may submit a good-cause waiver request to the Department, which has sole authority to grant or deny it.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 165.10, tenants in covered Los Angeles rental units have a right to receive or have access to a valid annual registration statement before their landlord demands or accepts rent—meaning an unregistered landlord is not permitted to collect rent. If a landlord appears to be collecting rent without having paid the Just Cause Enforcement Fee or provided the required registration statement, tenants can raise this as a potential violation with the Los Angeles Housing Department or bring it up as a defense in relevant proceedings. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with L.A. Mun. Code ch. XVI art. 5 can help explain what options are generally available under this provision.
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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