LAHD (Los Angeles Housing Department) is the city agency responsible for enforcing housing codes, managing rent stabilization, and protecting tenant rights. For LA renters, understanding LAHD is essential.
What Does LAHD Do?
LAHD Responsibilities
- Code Enforcement
Inspects buildings and enforces health/safety codes
- RSO Administration
Manages Rent Stabilization Ordinance (rent control)
- Violation Tracking
Records and tracks building violations
- Tenant Protection
Enforces laws against illegal rent increases, harassment
- Building Registration
Registers and tracks RSO rental units
LAHD Violations
LAHD tracks code violations for rental buildings. These include:
- Habitability issues — No heat, water, pest infestations
- Safety hazards — Broken locks, exposed wiring, fire hazards
- Building code violations — Illegal construction, unpermitted units
- Maintenance failures — Mold, plumbing issues, structural problems
Landlords receive notice to correct violations and face penalties if they don't comply.
Check Any Building's Violations
Search any LA address on StreetSmart to see violation history, building info, and quality scores.
Search a BuildingHow to File a Complaint
If your landlord isn't maintaining your building or violating your rights, file a complaint with LAHD:
- Document the issue — Photos, dates, written requests to landlord
- Contact LAHD — Call (866) 557-7368 or file online
- Provide details — Address, unit number, description of problem
- Inspector visit — LAHD will schedule an inspection
- Landlord notice — Violations cited, deadline to fix
- Follow-up — Reinspection to confirm repairs
LAHD Contact Info
- Housing Hotline: (866) 557-7368
- Online: housing.lacity.org
- In Person: Check website for office locations
RSO and LAHD
LAHD administers LA's Rent Stabilization Ordinance. Through LAHD you can:
- Verify if a building is RSO-registered
- Check the legal rent for an RSO unit
- Report illegal rent increases
- Appeal rent adjustment decisions
- Confirm landlord compliance
Protection from Retaliation
Filing a complaint with LAHD is a protected activity. It's illegal for your landlord to retaliate by:
- Raising your rent
- Reducing services
- Threatening or harassing you
- Starting eviction proceedings
If your landlord retaliates, document it and file an additional complaint.
What LAHD Doesn't Do
- LAHD doesn't handle disputes between roommates
- LAHD can't force landlords to make cosmetic improvements
- LAHD doesn't get involved in lease interpretation disputes
- For legal advice, consult a tenant rights attorney