Learn what's allowed and what's not.
Learn About Tenants’ Rights
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Learn About Tenants’ Rights
What Tenants Are Allowed To Do
Tenants have the right to stay safe during extreme heat. That means they can install their own fans or portable AC. You can’t charge extra, raise rent, or evict tenants just for using cooling devices. Tenants are not allowed to make permanent changes.
As the landlord, you’re responsible for keeping all livable rooms at a safe temperature (82°F or lower). You must make sure that the electrical systems in your rental units can safely support fans, portable ACs, or other cooling devices.
Rent Rules and Guidelines
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Legal Help for Tenants
If a tenant is being evicted, they may have access to free legal support through the Tenant Right to Counsel program.
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Repairs and Property Conditions
As the property owner, you're responsible for keeping the unit safe and livable.
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Safe Maximum Indoor Temperature Thresholds
for Residential Dwelling Units
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 requirement will apply to all habitable rooms by January 1, 2027. If you are a small property landlord*, you will need to meet the standard in at least one habitable room per unit by January 1, 2027, and in all habitable rooms by January 1, 2032, to comply with the ordinance.
Tenants are allowed to install their own portable cooling devices—such as plug-in air conditioners or fans—without being evicted, charged extra, or punished. Tenants must notify their landlord in writing, at least five days before installing the unit, so their landlord is aware of the additional electrical demand. Landlords may not pass along the cost of installing a portable cooling device to tenants, but they may be eligible for other capital improvements required to comply.
While the ordinance doesn’t require landlords to upgrade electrical systems, it’s strongly recommended that units be equipped to safely support standard cooling devices. Ensuring electrical systems are up to code and able to handle plug-in air conditioners or fans can help avoid safety issues and make compliance easier for everyone. Tenants can add a portable cooling device or utilize other non-mechanical cooling methods at their own cost, and landlords cannot raise the rent or charge extra fees under the new rule.
Get Heat Alerts and Stay Safe
Hot days aren’t just uncomfortable. They can actually be dangerous. Heat waves are getting longer and happening more often, and spending too much time in high temperatures can make you really sick. While anyone can be affected, older adults, young children, pregnant people, outdoor workers, unhoused individuals, athletes, and people with chronic health conditions are most at risk.
Check out these helpful resources from the County of Los Angeles Department of Health.
Sign up online for LA County heat alerts.
Sources: County of Los Angeles Public Health, Los Angeles Office of Climate Emergency Mobilization, LADWP
Safe Maximum Indoor Temperature Thresholds
for Residential Dwelling Units
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 requirement will apply to all habitable rooms by January 1, 2027. If you are a small property landlord*, you will need to meet the standard in at least one habitable room per unit by January 1, 2027, and in all habitable rooms by January 1, 2032, to comply with the ordinance.
Tenants are allowed to install their own portable cooling devices—such as plug-in air conditioners or fans—without being evicted, charged extra, or punished. Tenants must notify their landlord in writing, at least five days before installing the unit, so their landlord is aware of the additional electrical demand. Landlords may not pass along the cost of installing a portable cooling device to tenants, but they may be eligible for other capital improvements required to comply.
While the ordinance doesn’t require landlords to upgrade electrical systems, it’s strongly recommended that units be equipped to safely support standard cooling devices. Ensuring electrical systems are up to code and able to handle plug-in air conditioners or fans can help avoid safety issues and make compliance easier for everyone. Tenants can add a portable cooling device or utilize other non-mechanical cooling methods at their own cost, and landlords cannot raise the rent or charge extra fees under the new rule.
Get Heat Alerts and Stay Safe
Hot days aren’t just uncomfortable. They can actually be dangerous. Heat waves are getting longer and happening more often, and spending too much time in high temperatures can make you really sick. While anyone can be affected, older adults, young children, pregnant people, outdoor workers, unhoused individuals, athletes, and people with chronic health conditions are most at risk.
Check out these helpful resources from the County of Los Angeles Department of Health.
Sign up online for LA County heat alerts.
Sources: County of Los Angeles Public Health, Los Angeles Office of Climate Emergency Mobilization, LADWP
* “Small Property Landlord” is defined as a Landlord that meets any of the following:
(1) is qualified for and receives a Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption for the property on which the subject Rental Unit is located;
(2) has an ownership interest or beneficial interest in or controls only one (1) Rental Property with no more than ten (10) Rental Units; or
(3) has an ownership interest or beneficial interest in or controls no more than three (3) Rental Properties with a combined total of no more than ten (10) Rental Units, including any Rental Properties outside of Los Angeles County.
A Small Property Landlord does not include a real estate investment trust (as defined in Internal Revenue Code section 856), a corporation, a limited liability company in which at least one (1) member is, or is controlled by, a corporation, or a partnership in which at least one (1) partner is, or is controlled by, a corporation.