Legal guidance contributed by Yong Lee ("David"), Real & Lee, Ltd., a Los Angeles landlord-tenant attorney. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation.
The Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) updated its Right to Counsel (RTC) notice forms on June 11, 2026. If you own rental property in the City of Los Angeles, you are required by law to use these updated forms — and non-compliance can cost you far more than just an eviction case.
The Financial Risk Is Unlimited — Literally
This is not a minor technicality. Under Los Angeles's Right to Counsel Program (RTCP), if a landlord violates the notice requirements in any way, the consequences are severe:
- The landlord may lose the eviction case — even if the underlying grounds for eviction are valid
- The landlord may be ordered to pay UNLIMITED attorney fees and costs to the tenant
- "Unlimited" means exactly that: courts have ordered landlords to pay tens of thousands of dollars, a hundred thousand dollars, or more in attorney fees alone
California courts hold landlords to a strict standard on RTC compliance. (Eshagian v. Cepeda, B340941, filed 6/26/25, at 22.) There is no cap on what a court can award. A single missed or incorrect notice could turn a routine eviction into a six-figure liability.
What Is the Right to Counsel (RTC) Program?
The City of Los Angeles Right to Counsel ordinance (Chapter XVI, Housing Regulations of the Los Angeles Municipal Code) provides qualifying tenants with access to free legal representation in eviction and administrative proceedings that may result in the termination of their tenancy or rental housing subsidy.
The program is administered by Stay Housed LA (SHLA), a coalition of legal aid organizations. This law covers all rental units in the City of Los Angeles. Tenants who receive an eviction notice can call (888) 694-0040 or visit stayhousedla.org/get-legal-help to apply for free legal assistance.
What LA Landlords Are Required to Do
Under the RTC ordinance, landlords must post and serve the RTCP Notice repeatedly and in multiple languages. Specifically, you must:
- Provide a Notice of Right to Counsel at the beginning of a tenancy, in the tenant's primary language
- Attach a Notice of Right to Counsel to every eviction notice served on a tenant (3-day, 30-day, and 60-day notices — every time)
- Attach a Notice of Right to Counsel to any notice of termination of rental housing subsidy (e.g., Section 8 termination)
- Attach a Notice of Right to Counsel to any rental housing subsidy administrative proceeding correspondence that may result in termination of the subsidy
- Post the Notice of Right to Counsel conspicuously in a common area of the building — and keep it current
The notices must be provided in multiple languages. Updated forms in all required languages are available at housing.lacity.gov/RTC.
Why the June 11, 2026 Update Matters
LAHD updated these forms on June 11, 2026. Using any outdated version — even one that was correct last year — may not satisfy the ordinance. A tenant's attorney can challenge the entire eviction based on the form version alone, potentially triggering the unlimited attorney fees exposure described above.
Legal aid organizations funded under this program are specifically trained to identify RTC defects. Do not assume prior compliance carries over to the updated forms.
What Tenants Must Do After Receiving an Eviction Notice
The updated RTC notice advises tenants that after receiving an Unlawful Detainer (eviction) lawsuit, they must:
- File an Answer with the court within 10 business days
- Apply for RTC legal assistance as soon as possible by contacting Stay Housed LA at (888) 694-0040 or online at stayhousedla.org
Action Items for LA Landlords — Do This Now
- Download the June 11, 2026 updated RTC notice forms from housing.lacity.gov/RTC
- Replace all posted notices in your building's common areas immediately
- Pull the notice in every language relevant to your tenants — compliance requires the correct language version
- Use the updated forms for all future eviction notices and new tenancy paperwork, every time
- Keep signed copies and delivery records of all served notices
- If you are in an active eviction proceeding, contact your attorney today to confirm compliance
Does This Apply to Your Property?
The RTC ordinance applies to all rental units within the City of Los Angeles boundaries. It does not apply to properties in unincorporated LA County, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, or other independent cities — those jurisdictions have their own rules. Unsure? Check your property at zimas.lacity.org.
This article was prepared with guidance from Yong Lee ("David"), Real & Lee, Ltd., a Los Angeles-based landlord-tenant attorney. For legal advice specific to your property or situation, consult a licensed California attorney.
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