Nobody should have to sweat it out at home. The new heat ordinance requires rental dwellings to be able to stay at or below 82°F. This will help tenants stay cool and healthy during the hottest months.
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.
