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Last verified: · Confidence: medium
How much notice does a landlord have to give for unpaid rent in Los Angeles?
Short answer
File every termination notice (including 3-day notices) with LAHD within 3 business days of service
Notice: Within 3 business days after serving any written notice terminating a tenancy
Upload or mail a copy of every notice terminating a tenancy (3-day pay-or-quit, perform-or-quit, no-fault notices) to LAHD within three business days after serving it. Not filing gives the tenant a defense to eviction.
"The landlord shall file with the Department any such written notice terminating a tenancy within three business days of service on the tenant." codelibrary.amlegal.com
"All notices to terminate a tenancy for all rental units subject to City’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) and the Just Cause Ordinance (JCO) must be filed with the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) within three (3) business days of service on the tenant" housing.lacity.gov
"A tenant can raise an affirmative defense in an eviction for failure to provide a copy of the eviction notice to LAHD." housing.lacity.gov
File every termination notice (including 3-day notices) with LAHD within 3 business days of service Verified
Deadline: Within 3 business days after serving any written notice terminating a tenancy
Upload or mail a copy of every notice terminating a tenancy (3-day pay-or-quit, perform-or-quit, no-fault notices) to LAHD within three business days after serving it. Not filing gives the tenant a defense to eviction.
Who it covers: RSO and JCO units. File online at LAHD's eviction notice portal or by mail with the cover sheet.
"The landlord shall file with the Department any such written notice terminating a tenancy within three business days of service on the tenant." codelibrary.amlegal.com
"All notices to terminate a tenancy for all rental units subject to City’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) and the Just Cause Ordinance (JCO) must be filed with the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) within three (3) business days of service on the tenant" housing.lacity.gov
"A tenant can raise an affirmative defense in an eviction for failure to provide a copy of the eviction notice to LAHD." housing.lacity.gov
Notes: LAMC §§151.09 C.9, 165.05 B.5. Business days are counted by you; the calendar shows the stated 3-day window.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Nonpayment eviction only if the tenant owes more than one month's Fair Market Rent Verified
Deadline: Ongoing requirement with no fixed date
Since March 27, 2023, you may not evict for unpaid rent unless the tenant owes more than the HUD Fair Market Rent for that unit size.
Who it covers: RSO and JCO units. HUD FMR for FY2027 is valid October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027 (amounts by bedroom count on LAHD's page).
"Effective March 27, 2023, landlords may not evict a tenant who falls behind in rent unless the tenant owes an amount higher than the Fair Market Rent (FMR)." housing.lacity.gov