2025 Guide to Rental Registration for Los Angeles Property Management
If you own residential property in Los Angeles County—whether in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Culver City, or unincorporated areas—you may have received a notice requiring rental unit registration. Here’s what it means, why it matters, and what every property owner needs to do to stay compliant with local laws.
City of Los Angeles
- Deadline: February 28 annually
- Fee: $31.05 per unit (Just Cause registration under LAHD)
- Details: The city assumes all residential properties are rentals unless you file an exemption. This includes single-family homes, condos, and ADUs.
- Register or Exempt: registerLArent.org
City of Culver City
- Deadline: July 31 annually
- Fee: $167 per unit, with monthly penalties for late filings
- Register: culvercity.hdlgov.com
City of Santa Monica
- Deadline: August 1 (after billing in June for rent-controlled units)
- Fee: $72 per unit (subject to annual adjustment)
- Details: Failure to register blocks rent increases and petition rights.
- Register: santamonica.gov/rent-control
Unincorporated Los Angeles County
- Deadline: September 30 annually
- Fee: $90 per fully-covered unit; $30 for Just-Cause only
- Register: dcba.lacounty.gov/rentregistry
City of Pasadena
- Deadline: December 22 annually
- Details: cityofpasadena.net/rent-control
Why Rental Registration Matters for Residential Property Management
- Compliance is mandatory—unregistered units can’t legally raise rent or proceed with evictions.
- Penalties add up fast—late fees range from 10% to 150% depending on jurisdiction.
- Exemptions are available—but you must file proactively if the unit is vacant or owner-occupied.
Whether you're handling Santa Monica property management, Culver City rentals, or Los Angeles property management, understanding your city’s rules is essential. Filing your rental registration (or exemption) protects your rights and keeps your operations compliant.
Need help with compliance, tenant screening, or leasing? Get a proposal for residential property management today.
