Free resources from Rick Albert, LAMERICA Real Estate
Resources for LA landlords and investors
Joining from the Los Angeles/So Cal Landlords group on Facebook? Welcome! I put this page together with you in mind.
I’m Rick Albert, a Real Estate Broker Associate and a landlord with 17 rental units of my own. This page brings together the resources I wish I’d had when I was starting out. You’ll find interviews with real estate professionals and two free newsletters, and when you’re ready to plan your next move, you can book a free strategy session with me.
What LA landlords need to know
Interviews with an attorney, a 1031 exchange expert, and the AAOA, from my podcast The Key to the City of Angels.
Evictions, screening, and the risks LA landlords face, with attorney Niv Davidovich
Selling without the tax hit: 1031 exchanges, with Brendan Lewis of Asset Preservation
Screening and running rentals well, with Alexandra Alvarado of AAOA
Subscribe for free to our newsletters
3 Things You Need to Know as an Investor This Week
Every week: what’s in the news, the laws that affect LA landlords, and what it means for your bottom line.
Real Estate with Rick Albert
LA market news, new listings, and every podcast episode as it drops.
Book a free 30-minute strategy session
Whether you’re looking to grow what you own or buy your next property, let’s map out a plan. If you’d like, I’ll run an equity review before we talk. No cost and no obligation.
Talk strategy
A plan for your portfolio, whether you own or are buying:
- Ways to increase your property’s value and income
- What your units would rent for in today’s market
- Whether adding a unit or an ADU pencils out
- Finding and buying your next investment property
Get an equity review
What your property is worth, your equity, and your options:
- Keep it as is
- Sell
- Refinance and pull cash out
- 1031 exchange into something better
I’m a real estate broker, not an attorney, so I don’t give legal advice. For questions about tenants, evictions, or rent control rules, I’ll point you to an attorney. Equity reviews are for properties in the greater Los Angeles area. Prefer to call? 323-929-7653
Rent control basics for LA landlords
Last reviewed October 2026.
Is my property covered by LA’s rent control (RSO)?
Most likely, if it’s in the City of Los Angeles, has two or more units on the lot, and was first occupied on or before October 1, 1978. You can confirm a property’s status with the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD).
Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Ventura County, and unincorporated LA County each follow their own rules, so the RSO doesn’t apply there.
Deciding whether to hold or sell a rent-controlled building? Let’s talk strategy.
How much can I raise rent on an RSO unit?
The limit is 3% for increases between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027. Also keep in mind:
- You can raise rent only once every 12 months.
- Tenants must get at least 30 days’ written notice.
- The unit must be registered with LAHD and the fees paid.
- Utility add-ons on top of the annual increase ended February 2, 2026.
Starting in 2026, the city sets future increases at 90% of inflation, with a floor of 1% and a ceiling of 4%.
Want to know what that means for your building’s value? Ask for an equity review.
My property isn’t RSO. Is there still a cap?
Usually, yes. State law (AB 1482) caps annual increases at 5% plus local inflation, or 10%, whichever is lower. In the LA area, the cap is 8.7% for increases between August 1, 2026 and July 31, 2027.
Common exemptions include buildings less than 15 years old and some single-family homes and condos owned by individuals, but only if the required exemption notice is in the lease. Some cities and unincorporated LA County have stricter local limits.
Not sure if your rental is exempt? Check the official sources below or ask a landlord-tenant attorney.
Can I end a tenancy when the lease is up?
Generally, no. Once a tenancy has been in place for a while, most LA-area rentals require a legal reason to end it, known as “just cause.” There are two kinds:
- At fault: the tenant did something, like not paying rent or breaking the lease.
- No fault: the owner has a reason, like moving in, doing a major remodel, or taking the unit off the market.
The notice and paperwork rules are strict, and mistakes can reset the process. Talk to a landlord-tenant attorney before serving any notice.
Do I owe relocation fees?
For no-fault evictions, almost always. State law sets a minimum, and the City of LA requires more, with the amount depending on the tenant and the unit. LAHD updates the city’s amounts every July 1, so check the current figures before you budget.
Weighing a sale against holding? Let’s run the numbers together.
Official sources
- California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants’ and Landlords’ Rights and ResponsibilitiesThe state’s landlord-tenant handbook from the CA Department of Real Estate, updated every year.
- AB 1482, the Tenant Protection ActThe CA Attorney General’s overview of the statewide rent cap, just cause, and exemptions.
- LAHD Renter ProtectionsCity of Los Angeles rules: the RSO, current allowable increases, and relocation amounts.
- LA County DCBA: Understanding Rent IncreasesUnincorporated LA County rules and how to check which jurisdiction you’re in.
This is general educational information, not legal advice, and it may not cover every exception or later changes in the law. Rules depend on the property, jurisdiction, and circumstances. For evictions, notices, or disputes, consult a qualified landlord-tenant attorney.
Got a landlord story? Be on the show.
Come tell it on The Key to the City of Angels, named Best Real Estate Podcast of 2025 by the American Apartment Owners Association.
I want to hear how you got started, what’s worked, and what you’d do differently. Every kind of owner is welcome, from one unit to a hundred. Your story is the episode, so no pitches.