The City of Los Angeles Right to Counsel Program Ordinance (RTC or RTCPO) Chapter XVI, Housing Regulations of the Los Angeles Municipal Code) provides qualifying tenants with access to legal representation in eviction and administrative proceedings that may result in the termination of the tenant’s tenancy or rental housing subsidy.
Under the RTC, landlords of rental units located in the City of Los Angeles are required to:
- 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 a copy of any eviction notice ( served on the tenant.
- Attach a Notice of Right to Counsel to any notice of termination of a rental housing subsidy (e.g., Section 8).
- Attach a Notice of Right to Counsel to any Section 8 administrative proceeding correspondence that may result in termination of the tenant’s rental housing subsidy.
- Post the Notice of Right to Counsel in a conspicuous common area of the residential building where the tenant resides.
An eligible tenant may assert as an affirmative defense the failure to comply with any provision of the RTC.
ATTENTION TENANTS
ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
If you are a residential tenant and receive a Los Angeles Court Document (Summons & Complaint- Unlawful Detainer (UD)), you may be eligible for legal services through the City’s Right to Counsel Program in partnership with Stay Housed LA (SHLA) if you meet the following criteria:
- You live in the City of Los Angeles within the covered geography https://neighborhoodinfo.lacity.gov/;A tenant whose income is 80 percent or less of the Area Median Income, as adjusted for household size, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Effective April 1, 2025)
- Your household income is under 80% of the area median income;
2025 HUD Low Income Limits for Los Angeles (Formerly known as 80% fo AMI) Household Size 1 Person 2 Person 3 Person 4 Person 5 Person 6 Person 7 Person 8 Person Income Limit $84,850 $96,950 $109,050 $121,150 $130,850 $140,550 $150,250 $159,950 - You do not reside in the same dwelling unit as the landlord; and
- You apply to SHLA within 30 days of receiving the UD (and not in default with the court) or within 30 days of receiving a Section 8 notice of termination.
Note: To avoid a default being entered by the unlawful detainer (UD) court, you must file an answer with the court within 10 days of service of the unlawful detainer (eviction) complaint. Regardless of household income, apply for legal help immediately after receiving a UD. Call Stay Housed LA (SHLA) at (800) 694-0040 or online at stayhousedla.org/get-legal-help/
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