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What Rental Housing Providers Need to Know

We flagged this one coming. In our last update, we mentioned that the Los Angeles City Council was considering another extension of the City’s emergency price gouging restrictions. That vote is now official.

On July 1, the Council extended the restrictions through July 30, 2026.

State and county-level restrictions may have already expired, but Los Angeles is still running its own playbook. If you own or manage rental property within Los Angeles city limits, the City’s rules are the ones that matter right now—and they are worth reviewing before you implement any rent increase.

What the July 1 Vote Actually Did

The Council did not introduce an entirely new set of requirements. Instead, it extended the emergency restrictions that were already in effect, keeping them active through July 30, 2026.

That distinction matters.

The expiration of similar protections at the state or county level does not automatically end the City of Los Angeles restrictions. A property located inside the City may remain subject to a stricter set of local requirements, even when a nearby property in another jurisdiction is not.

Property owners should not assume that a rule has expired simply because state or county protections have ended.

Why Property Location Matters

“Los Angeles” can refer to the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, or one of the many independent cities located within the county. Those jurisdictions do not always follow the same rental housing rules.

Before making a compliance decision, confirm the exact jurisdiction in which the property is located. A Los Angeles mailing address does not necessarily mean the property falls within Los Angeles city limits.

This should be the first step when determining which emergency restrictions, rent stabilization requirements, and notice rules apply.

Emergency Restrictions Are Not the Only Rules to Consider

The emergency price gouging restrictions may operate alongside other state and local rental housing laws. Depending on the property, an owner may also need to consider:

• The Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance
• Statewide rent-cap requirements
• Required advance notices
• Lease-specific restrictions
• Other local tenant protections

The Los Angeles Housing Department currently states that the allowable annual increase for units covered by the City’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance is 3% from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. RSO increases are generally permitted only once every 12 months, and the applicable notice requirements must still be followed. Review the City’s current renter-protection guidance.

These requirements are separate from emergency price gouging restrictions. Compliance with one rule does not necessarily mean the proposed increase complies with every other applicable law.

What Property Owners Should Do Now

With the emergency restrictions extended through July 30, 2026, property owners and managers should:

• Confirm whether the property is located within the City of Los Angeles.
• Determine whether the emergency restrictions apply to the property and proposed increase.
• Check whether the property is covered by the Rent Stabilization Ordinance or another rent-control law.
• Review the tenant’s current rent, lease terms, and increase history.
• Confirm that the correct written notice will be provided.
• Keep records supporting how the proposed rent was calculated.
• Consult legal counsel when the applicable rules are unclear.

Enforcement remains a real concern. The Los Angeles City Attorney has continued pursuing alleged wildfire-related rental price gouging, including civil and criminal actions involving housing prices. See the City Attorney’s enforcement information.

The Bottom Line

The July 1 vote did not create a new compliance framework, but it extended the one Los Angeles property owners are already expected to follow.

Until the current extension expires on July 30, 2026, owners and managers should continue treating the City’s emergency restrictions as active. Confirm the property’s jurisdiction, review every rule that may apply, and avoid relying solely on the expiration of state or county protections before moving forward with a rent increase.