Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
Questions Tenants May Have
Yes. You may use portable fans or plug-in A/C units, but you must give your landlord written notice at least 5 days in advance. Devices must be safe, code-compliant, and not alter the home’s structure.
Landlords must provide safe, code-compliant cooling that keeps your home at or below 82°F. This can include passive cooling methods like fans, insulation, window coverings, or shade structures. If passive cooling isn’t enough, mechanical cooling like air conditioning or heat pumps may be required.
High indoor temperatures can cause serious health problems, especially for older adults, young children, pregnant people, and those with chronic conditions. Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and confusion. Heat stroke is a medical emergency requiring immediate help.
Unincorporated Los Angeles County has passed a new ordinance requiring rental units to maintain a maximum indoor temperature of no more than 82°F. For most landlords, this applies to all habitable rooms by January 1, 2027. If you rent from a small landlord—owning 10 or fewer rental units total—you’ll have this standard met in at least one habitable room by January 1, 2027, and all habitable rooms by January 1, 2032.
Explore your rights, report issues, and find financial assistance here at CoolHealthyHomes.org. Access resources for rebates, utility bill help through CARE, FERA, LIHEAP, and get free technical support plus discounted energy-efficient ACs from Clean Power Alliance’s Instant AC Savings Program.
There are many ways to help keep indoor temperatures down, including portable fans or portable A/C units, shade screens, curtains, updated insulation, better windows, and weatherproofing. Landlords are encouraged to make these improvements as part of compliance.
If the home exceeds 82 °F and passive cooling isn’t enough, landlords are expected to explore upgrades, including mechanical cooling. Landlords may request up to a two-year extension to complete necessary retrofit work. Tenants may also install their own portable cooling device after giving written notice at least 5 days in advance. Complaints can be filed, with enforcement starting January 1, 2027.
No. Landlords cannot pass through costs for portable or window cooling units. Costs for necessary retrofits to meet the ordinance are subject to rent stabilization rules, including caps on rent increases and an application process through the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA).
Yes, using cooling devices may increase your bill — but help is available. Programs like CARE, FERA, and LIHEAP offer bill discounts, rebates, and other assistance to qualifying households.
Landlords cannot raise your rent, charge fees, or evict you for using cooling devices allowed under the ordinance. These anti-retaliation protections are part of the County’s Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance (RSTPO), ensuring your safety and comfort.
Questions Landlords May Have
Non-compliance can result in inspections, fines, and enforcement actions by Public Health and RHHP. Early education and technical assistance will be provided, but failure to meet temperature requirements could lead to penalties starting in 2027.
Financial resources, rebates, and technical support are available through programs like Clean Power Alliance (CPA), local utility providers, and state programs such as CARE and FERA.
Starting January 1, 2027 (or upon fee approval), tenant complaints will be investigated by Rental Housing Habitability Program (RHHP) inspectors. The County will use an education-first approach initially, offering guidance on cooling strategies before enforcement actions.
Yes. If you cannot complete the required cooling upgrades immediately, you may request a two-year extension by submitting an application to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health or the Rental Housing Habitability Program (RHHP). Your request should explain the reasons for the delay and provide a timeline for completing the work. Extensions are granted based on the County’s review and approval process.
You may need to perform electrical or structural upgrades to safely install cooling systems. Technical assistance is available through Clean Power Alliance (CPA)’s Energy Team to help plan and access rebates for such improvements.
Costs for portable or window units cannot be passed through to tenants. Capital improvement costs for retrofits are subject to the County’s Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance (RSTPO), which caps rent increases and requires an application process through the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA).
Tenants may install portable fans or plug-in air conditioners after giving you written notice at least 5 days in advance. You cannot interfere or retaliate against tenants for exercising this right. The devices must be used safely and without structural alterations.
Cooling methods must meet local building and safety codes. This can include fans, insulation, shading, approved mechanical systems like air conditioning or heat pumps, and other approaches that safely maintain the temperature threshold without modifying the unit illegally.
You are encouraged to use passive cooling methods like improved insulation, shade screens, and window coverings first. Mechanical cooling (such as air conditioning or heat pumps) may be required if passive measures don’t keep temperatures at or below 82°F.
You must ensure all rental units in unincorporated LA County can maintain a maximum indoor temperature of 82°F in every habitable room using safe, code-compliant cooling methods. The ordinance was approved in late 2025, with enforcement beginning January 1, 2027, or upon approval of related fees, whichever is later.