Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Your guide to renting in this complicated — and expensive — place.
The annual max increase for LA's rent controlled apartments is back — as city puts off vote to reform rules
Tenants rally outside L.A. city hall to call for lower caps on annual rent increases.
(
David Wagner
/
LAist
)
Topline:
Starting Tuesday, rent increases for most apartment dwellers in Los Angeles will be capped at 3% — or up to 5% if utilities are included. The new limits are taking effect at a time when the L.A. City Council continues to put off voting on a plan to update the city’s decades-old rent control formula.
Who’s covered: The city’s rent control caps generally apply to tenants living in apartments built before October 1978. These older units make up about two-thirds of all L.A. apartments. Tenants in these apartments can now have their rent increased by up to 3% — unless landlords also cover the tenant’s gas and electricity bills, in which case another 1% can be added for each utility, bringing the maximum allowable increase to 5%.
Listen
• 0:44
New rent increase caps start in LA as city delays updating rent control formula
Support for LAist comes from
What’s new: The new rent hike caps are slightly down from the previous limits, which ran from 4% to 6%. Trends in local inflation determine how high landlords can raise rents. With inflation steadily declining in recent months, so too are the city’s allowable rent increases. The new 3% to 5% cap is set to remain in place through June 30, 2026.
Why no reforms yet? The city’s Housing Department has recommended getting rid of the additional 2% utilities bump, citing an economic report which found the surcharge unfairly increases costs on tenants. City housing officials have also recommended changes to how allowable increases are calculated. Those changes would have capped rent hikes at 2% on Tuesday. The current maximum of 5% is taking effect because the L.A. City Council has yet to schedule a vote on the proposed reforms.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs. -
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
Best of LAist