Tenant Right to Counsel Los Angeles 2025
Anthony A. Luna • August 4, 2025
Tenant Right to Counsel Los Angeles 2025
New Tenant Legal Rights in LA: What Landlords Need to Know
Starting in 2025, both the City and County of Los Angeles enacted sweeping Tenant Right to Counsel laws. These ordinances guarantee tenants the right to free eviction defense attorneys and impose strict new legal requirements on landlords and property managers.
This guide explains:
- Who qualifies for Right to Counsel
- What notices landlords must serve
- Where to post required information
- Risks for noncompliance
- What property owners should do now
What Is the Tenant Right to Counsel Law?
The City of Los Angeles ordinance took effect on April 1, 2025. The County of Los Angeles version started January 1, 2025, covering unincorporated LA areas.
Both programs:- Guarantee free legal representation in eviction court
- Cover tenants making 80 percent or less of Area Median Income (AMI)
- Are administered through Stay Housed LA
- Will be phased in over 5 to 7 years, prioritizing high-risk ZIP codes
Who Pays for It?
City and County budgets fund the program using housing fees, grants, and general funds. For landlords, the burden comes through new compliance mandates and possible court challenges.
What Must Landlords Do?
1. Serve Official Notices
Landlords must provide a Notice of Right to Counsel:- At lease signing
- Along with any Notice to Quit, Notice to Pay Rent or Quit, or Notice of Termination of Subsidy
The notice:
- Must be in the tenant’s primary language (official templates exist for Spanish, Korean, Tagalog, Armenian, and others)
- Must use the City or County’s official form
- Should be kept on record for 3 years
2. Post Notices in All Common Areas
City and County law require physical posting in:
- Lobbies
- Mailroom
- Building entrances
- On-site manager offices
Must be updated and visible to all tenants.
3. Train Your Property Teams
Your staff must be able to:- Deliver accurate, language-matched notices
- Explain tenant rights without offering legal advice
- Document notice and posting compliance
- Track lease events and renewals with RTC milestones
4. Understand the Penalties
Landlords who fail to comply face:- Civil penalties of up to $800 per violation
- Daily fines for ongoing violations
- Tenant legal defenses in eviction cases
- Criminal prosecution in extreme cases
Action Steps for Property Owners and Managers
-
Update your lease packets with RTC notice inserts
-
Translate notices for your tenant population
-
Post all buildings with City or County official forms
-
Train site and leasing teams to handle new compliance
-
Consult legal counsel before filing any new eviction cases
-
Create a tracking calendar for phased rollouts in high-risk ZIPs
Download Your Landlord Compliance Checklist
Click here to Download Coastline Equity’s RTC Compliance Checklist PDF.
This includes:
- Required notices by lease phase
- Posting requirements by jurisdiction
- Tenant language thresholds
- Legal references and penalty thresholds
Partner with Coastline Equity
Coastline Equity manages residential and commercial properties throughout Greater Los Angeles. Our compliance-first approach ensures you stay ahead of tenant laws while preserving asset value and positive tenant relationships.
Related Resources
• Stay Housed LA
• LAHD Right to Counsel Info
• County Ordinance Language
• City Council Press Release
More about Coastline Equity
-
Property Management Services
Our team will handle all your property needs, offering specialized services such as in-depth inspections, liability management, staff recruitment and training, and round-the-clock maintenance—expert support tailored to the unique requirements of your real estate assets.
-
About Us
Our dedicated team transforms property management challenges into opportunities. From tenant management to streamlined rent collection and proactive maintenance.
-
Property Management Excellence
As a contributing author for Forbes, Anthony A. Luna brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge in the property management industry, real estate sector, and entrepreneurship, providing insights and thought-provoking analysis on a range of topics including property management, industry innovation, and leadership. Anthony has established himself as a leading voice in the business community. Through his contributions to Forbes, Anthony is set to publish his first book, 'Property Management Excellence' in April 2025 with Forbes Books.
-
Insights
Learn more about Coastline Equity's property management practices & processes and how we support our clients with education and a growth mindset. Coastline Equity Property Management is your partner as you continue to learn and grow.
News & Updates
Property Management Made Easy
Los Angeles
Temecula
Free tools & Resources
Privacy policy
Service areas
- Aguanga Property Management
- Aliso Viejo Property Management
- Anaheim Hills Property Management
- Anaheim Property Management
- Anza Property Management
- Balboa Island Property Management
- Bellflower Property Management
- Belmont Shore Property Management
- Beverly Hills Property Management
- Bixby Knolls Property Management
- Bonsall Property Management
- Brea Property Management
- Burbank Property Management
- Carson Property Management
- Cerritos Property Management
- Costa Mesa Property Management
- Culver City Property Management
- Dana Point Property Management
- Downey Property Management
- East Costa Mesa Property Management
- El Segundo Property Management
- Fallbrook Property Management
- Fountain Valley Property Management
- French Valley Property Management
- Fullerton Property Management
- Garden Grove Property Management
- Gardena Property Management
- Glendale Property Management
- Harbor City Property Management
- Hawaiian Gardens Property Management
- Hemet Property Management
- Hermosa Beach Property Management
- Huntington Beach Property Management
- Inland Empire Property Management
- Irvine Property Management
- La Habra Property Management
- Ladera Ranch Property Management
- Laguna Beach Property Management
- Lake Elsinore Property Management
- Lakewood Property Management
- Lomita Property Management
- Long Beach Property Management
- Los Alamitos Property Management
- Manhattan Beach Property Management
- Marina del Rey Property Management
- Menifee Property Management
- Mission Viejo Property Management
- Murrieta Hot Springs Property Management
- Naples Property Management
- Newport Beach Property Management
- North Tustin Property Management
- Old Torrance Property Management
- Orange County Property Management
- Palos Verdes Drive East Property Management
- Paramount Property Management
- Pasadena Property Management
- Perris Property Management
- Placentia Property Management
- Rancho Palos Verdes Property Management
- Redondo Beach Property Management
- Riverside County Property Management
- Rolling Hills Property Management
- Rossmoor Property Management
- San Bernardino County Property Management
- Santa Ana Property Management
- Seal Beach Property Management
- Signal Hill Property Management
- Silverlake Property Management
- Temecula Property Management
- Torrance Property Management
- Tustin Property Management
- Venice Property Management
- West Hollywood Property Management
- Westminster Property Management
- Whittier Property Management
- Wildomar Property Management
- Wilmington Property Management
- Winchester Property Management
- Yorba Linda Property Management
- Property Management Near Me