Compliance Guide: RTC Notice Requirements for City of Los Angeles Rental Property Owners

Landlords in the City of Los Angeles are now legally required to notify tenants of their Right to Counsel (RTC) under the newly adopted ordinance. The Los Angeles Right to Counsel Program, effective August 25, 2025, aims to ensure that eligible tenants have access to legal representation in eviction and housing subsidy termination proceedings.

Failing to meet these requirements can not only lead to tenant defenses in court but also trigger steep civil penalties. This guide breaks down what every landlord needs to know to stay compliant—and avoid legal trouble.

Key Takeaways:

• Los Angeles landlords must provide and post a Notice of Right to Counsel in multiple languages.
• Tenants may use landlord noncompliance as an affirmative defense in eviction cases.
• Requirements apply at lease signing, for eviction and subsidy termination notices, and Section 8 correspondence.
• Fines can reach $800 per violation, per day—compliance is crucial.

Table of Contents:

• What Is the RTC Program?
• Landlord Requirements under Los Angeles RTC
• Penalties & Tenant Defenses
• Differences: City vs. County RTC Obligations
• Best Practices for Landlords
• Supporting Tenants and Preventing Evictions
• Patti’s Thoughts
• Resources for Landlords

What Is the RTC Program?

The Right to Counsel Program in Los Angeles ensures tenants facing eviction or rental subsidy termination can access free legal representation if they qualify. Eligibility applies to tenants earning at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), and who respond to court notices within designated timeframes.

This program is part of a broader national effort to reduce homelessness and improve housing stability. Data shows that only 4% of tenants typically have legal representation compared to 83% of landlords—yet when tenants are represented, outcomes improve drastically. Nearly 9 in 10 tenants avoid eviction or secure favorable terms when assisted by legal counsel.

Download the RTC

Landlord Requirements under Los Angeles RTC

1. Beginning of Tenancy

Landlords must provide the Notice of Right to Counsel to new tenants at the beginning of tenancy. The notice must be provided in the tenant’s primary language. Approved languages include English, Spanish, Korean, Armenian, Farsi, Russian, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Tagalog.

2. Eviction and Subsidy Termination

For any eviction notice or notice of subsidy termination, landlords are legally obligated to attach the same Notice of Right to Counsel. This includes communications relating to Section 8 administrative proceedings that could result in a loss of rental assistance.

3. Posting Requirement

A copy of the Notice of Right to Counsel must also be posted in a conspicuous common area of every rental property. Ideal posting locations include:

• Building entrances
• Mailrooms
• Lobbies
• Laundry areas

Failing to meet any of these requirements opens the landlord to legal exposure.

Penalties & Tenant Defenses

If a landlord does not follow the RTC Ordinance, the tenant may assert an affirmative defense in an eviction case. That means a tenant can argue in court that the eviction is not valid due to the landlord’s failure to comply with the RTC notice obligations.

In unincorporated Los Angeles County, violations may incur:

• Civil fines of up to $800 per violation, per day
• Misdemeanor charges with potential jail time up to 6 months

Each day the notice is not provided or posted counts as a separate violation.

Differences: City vs. County RTC Obligations

City of Los Angeles

• Effective Date: August 25, 2025
• Covered by Chapter XVI of the Municipal Code
• Applies to properties within city limits
• Requires multilingual notices at lease signing, during eviction/subsidy termination, and visible posting

Unincorporated Los Angeles County

• Effective Date: January 1, 2025
• Chapter 8.60 of the County Code
• Same core requirements and penalties
• Also enforced by Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA)

Ensure you confirm your property’s jurisdiction—what applies in the City may differ slightly from County rules.

Best Practices for Landlords

• Always include the RTC notice with new leases and any notice of eviction or termination of rental assistance.
• Post a copy of the RTC notice in visible locations inside every rental building.
• Document all notice deliveries and postings with date-stamped photos or tenant acknowledgments.
• Update notices whenever language translations or legal forms are modified by the city or county.

Maintaining compliance reduces risk, improves tenant relations, and protects your rental income.

Supporting Tenants and Preventing Evictions

The City and County also promote the Stay Housed L.A. program, which helps eligible tenants access free legal help. Tenants must respond to eviction notices within 10 business days, and they can apply for legal services online or by phone.

Providing timely and accurate RTC notices not only ensures compliance but helps reduce conflicts that often escalate into costly legal battles. Keeping tenants informed and connected to resources supports long-term tenancy stability.

Patti’s Thoughts

The Right to Counsel Ordinance represents a major shift in tenant protections in Los Angeles. For landlords, the key to compliance is early and consistent communication—starting at lease signing and continuing through every formal housing notice.

By understanding and following these requirements, you can avoid penalties, reduce eviction disputes, and maintain a stronger legal footing. Download official forms, ensure you post and deliver notices in the tenant’s language, and document everything. It’s your best defense—and your legal obligation.

Resources for Landlords

• LA Housing Department RTC Resources
• Notice of Right to Counsel – Download Multilingual PDFs
• Stay Housed LA – Tenant Legal Help
• LA County Tenant Right to Counsel
• AAGLA Landlord Guide to RTC