Everything you need to know about finding an apartment, understanding your rights, researching buildings, and navigating Los Angeles's rental market.
Check violations, landlord history, and building scores for free.
Everything you need to know about apartment hunting in Los Angeles. From setting your budget to signing the lease.
New to renting in LA? This guide covers everything from documents you'll need to common mistakes to avoid.
Find the best neighborhoods in LA for your budget. Compare average rents, transit access, and quality of life.
New to LA? Start here to learn the basics of apartment hunting.
Everything you need to know about apartment hunting in Los Angeles. From setting your budget to signing the lease.
12 min readNew to renting in LA? This guide covers everything from documents you'll need to common mistakes to avoid.
14 min readDon't sign a lease without asking these critical questions. Protect yourself from surprises.
7 min readDecode your LA rental lease. A plain-English guide to every important clause and red flags to watch for.
15 min readComplete guide for relocating to Los Angeles. Budget, timeline, neighborhoods, and tips from locals.
15 min readComplete guide to moving out of an LA apartment. Timeline, checklists, and how to get your deposit back.
10 min readEverything about roommate situations in LA. Co-tenant vs. subtenant rights, agreements, and disputes.
10 min readKnow your legal protections as an LA renter.
A comprehensive guide to tenant rights in Los Angeles. From repairs to eviction protections.
15 min readLearn what RSO means in LA, how to check if your apartment qualifies, and what protections it provides.
10 min readUnderstand your rights when your lease is up. Just Cause protections, rent increases, and negotiation strategies.
9 min readUnderstand rent increase limits in LA. RSO caps, AB 1482 statewide limits, and how to challenge illegal increases.
10 min readNeed to break your lease early? Learn your options, potential costs, and how to negotiate.
12 min readLearn how to research any building before you rent.
The essential checklist for researching any LA building before you sign. Avoid problem landlords.
10 min readLearn about LAHD, what they do, how to file complaints, and how they protect LA tenants.
8 min readUnderstand the true costs of renting in LA.
Protect yourself from rental fraud and scams.
Compare building quality, rent prices, and scores across every LA neighborhood and area.
You'll typically need first month's rent and a security deposit (max 2 months for unfurnished). Most landlords require income of 2.5-3x monthly rent. For a $2,500/month apartment, expect $5,000-7,500 upfront and monthly income of $6,250-7,500.
Read our First-Time Renter Guide →The Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) is LA's rent control program that limits rent increases and provides eviction protections. It typically applies to buildings with 2+ units built before October 1, 1978. RSO tenants have the right to lease renewal and capped annual rent increases.
Read our RSO Guide →You can check LAHD violations for free on StreetSmart by searching any LA address. We show the complete violation history, landlord information, and building quality scores.
LA tenants have extensive rights including: the right to habitable conditions, Just Cause eviction protection (under state law and local ordinances), security deposit limits, right to repairs, and protection from retaliation and harassment.
Read our Complete Tenant Rights Guide →In California, the maximum security deposit is 2 months' rent for unfurnished apartments and 3 months' rent for furnished. Landlords must return the deposit within 21 days of move-out with an itemized statement of deductions.
Read our Security Deposit Guide →All information in this guide is based on official LA and California data and regulations. StreetSmart aggregates data from multiple city agencies to give you the most complete picture of any building.
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