Landlords Must Register Rental Properties with City of Los Angeles
Registering a rental unit with the City of Los Angeles requires paying an annual fee to the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD). This is a legal requirement for all rental properties in the city of Los Angeles, whether they are subject to the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) or the Just Cause Ordinance (JCO).
The reason that the city of Los Angeles requires registration of rental units is to enable the city to enforce tenant protections. The fees that landlords must pay to register each year also support many tenant programs, like tenant relocation assistance and habitability inspection programs. The registration system also helps to track landlords’ compliance with state laws and local eviction rules.
There are no exemptions to the registration requirement; all rental properties in the city of Los Angeles must be registered with LAHD.
Exemptions to Registration Requirement
While all rental properties in the city of Los Angeles must be registered with LAHD, the registration requirement does not apply to every single property in the city of Los Angeles. Units (whether apartments or houses) not offered for rent - such as those kept vacant for personal use, occupied exclusively by family members who are not paying rent to the owner, or which are used solely for commercial purposes are exempt from the LAHD registration requirement.
Annual Registrations
Registration must be renewed annually, typically between January 1 and March 31 of each year. Landlords can complete the process online via the LAHD Rent Registry Portal, where they will receive a Rent Registry Certificate upon completion. This certificate must be shared with tenants and retained as proof of compliance.
Consequences of Failing to Register
Failure to register a rental unit can have serious legal consequences, including being unable to evict a tenant and incurring fines.
- Prevent Lawful Eviction: Landlords are prohibited from legally collecting rent or serving eviction notices—such as a 3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit—unless the rental unit is properly registered. Registration is a prerequisite for initiating an eviction. If a landlord attempts to evict a tenant without first registering the unit and files an unlawful detainer (eviction) case, the tenant can assert the landlord’s failure to register as an affirmative defense and potentially defeat the entire case. This defense applies even if the tenant is behind on rent, violating the lease, or otherwise engaged in conduct that would typically justify an eviction.
- Fines: A landlord who has not registered may be barred from collecting rent or initiating eviction proceedings until the property is brought into compliance. LAHD may also impose fines or administrative penalties, and tenants may assert non-registration as a valid defense in unlawful detainer actions.
How to Register
Landlords must register each unit with the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) on an annual basis. Each individual unit must be registered separately. For example, a landlord who owns a fourplex apartment building must register each of the four units separately once per year. Registration includes payment of a per-unit fee. Landlords should follow the process outlined below:
Step 1: Create a Login or Access Your Account at LAHD
If you have not registered the property before, you must create an online account with the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) Rent Registry Portal by visiting: https://housing.lacity.gov/rental-property-owners/rent-registry
Step 2: Complete the Rental Unit Registration Form
Log in to the Rent Registry Portal and provide required details, including:
- Address and ownership info;
- Unit-by-unit data: tenant names are optional, but the following is required: rent amount, move-in date, and occupancy status); and
- Emergency contact information.
Step 3: Pay Annual Fees
Pay the applicable annual fees, which may include:
- RSO Registration Fee: $38.75 per unit
- SCEP Inspection Fee (if applicable): $67.94 per unit
For the exact fees for your unit, go to: LA Registration Fee Schedule Info
Step 4: Receive and Provide Registration Certificate
Once registration is completed and payment is processed, you will receive a Rent Registry Certificate. Keep an electronic copy of this document for your records. You will need to provide this to your attorney if you decide to evict your tenant.
- This Rent Registry Certificate must be posted at the property in a conspicuous location, per LAMC § 151.05(C). For an apartment complex, this can be posted by the mailboxes. For a single-family home, I recommend posting this near the front door to the residence.
- A copy must also be provided to each tenant annually per LAMC § 151.05(A). I recommend sending this to your tenant each year via certified mail so that you have proof that it was sent.
- I also advise attaching this certificate to any eviction notice served on the tenants, such as a 3 Day Notice to Pay or Quit
Step 5: Keep Records and Renew Annually
Registration must be renewed every calendar year, typically between January 1 and March 31. Late fees may apply if not completed on time.
