As October approaches, Los Angeles continues to experience unrelenting heat waves, with temperatures expected to soar to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (about 37.8 degrees Celsius) next week. In the midst of increasingly severe weather conditions, a new regulation restricting indoor temperatures in rental housing in Los Angeles County is set to take effect, directly impacting the rights of landlords and tenants.
The newly passed high-temperature ordinance by the Los Angeles County government states that starting from January 1, 2027, the maximum indoor temperature in rental properties located in the county’s “unincorporated areas” must not exceed 82 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 27.8 degrees Celsius). Any excessive indoor temperatures in rental units will be considered a violation of this regulation.
This ordinance applies to over 120 communities and residential areas in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, encompassing around 1 million residents. These regions are not part of the county’s 88 cities and are directly managed by the county government, including areas like East Los Angeles, Rowland Heights, and Hacienda Heights.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health views this high-temperature regulation as crucial due to the exacerbation of heart, kidney, and chronic health conditions by extreme heat; prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
While the California Apartment Association agrees with the practice of protecting residents from the dangers of extreme heat, they express concerns about the mandatory requirements imposed by the county government.
The association believes that the government’s directive for landlords to make mandatory changes to rental properties lacks necessary planning, support, or infrastructure. For instance, the infrastructure of some older buildings is limited and may lack sufficient power capacity for modern cooling systems; costly renovation projects and increased electricity costs could pose risks to housing affordability.
1) All rental properties in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County must maintain indoor temperatures at 82 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
2) The new law went into effect last September but will only be enforced starting in 2027. For most landlords, by January 1 of the upcoming year, all residential rooms must meet the new standards. Those requiring extensive renovations can apply for a grace period. Small landlords with fewer than 10 rental units, who qualify as “small landlords,” automatically receive a longer grace period. By January 1 of the following year, each rental unit must have at least one compliant room, and all residential rooms must meet the standards by January 1, 2032.
3) The new law does not mandate the installation of air conditioning or upgrade of power systems in properties but requires ensuring that rental property temperatures remain at or below 82 degrees Fahrenheit, such as by installing shading facilities to block heat from entering the premises. Additionally, ensuring compliance of electricity systems with regulations and capacity to support electric air conditioners or fans is necessary to avoid potential safety hazards.
4) Tenants can, at their own expense, install portable cooling equipment like electric air conditioners or fans, as long as they adhere to current building regulations and do not alter or modify the rental units. Furthermore, tenants must notify landlords in writing at least five days in advance before installing any equipment to inform about the increased electricity demands.
5) Landlords are prohibited from raising rent due to the new regulations and cannot pass on the cost of equipment installation to tenants. However, if landlords need to improve their properties to comply with the new standards, they may be eligible for some financial assistance.
Landlords and tenants can also access subsidies, electricity rate discounts, and technical support through the Clean Power Alliance (CPA), local utility companies, as well as California’s California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) programs.