Rental property owners in Los Angeles County have a new, free resource to help them understand the range of key laws to be aware of during the firestorms devastating the L.A. region and during other emergencies. 

The California Apartment Association has released a free document titled Key Laws for Landlords to Know About: 2025 Los Angeles Fires. This guide outlines critical legal requirements that housing providers must follow in the wake of declared emergencies, such as those resulting from the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, and Hurst fires. 

Click image for pdf

This guide highlights key provisions of California’s anti-price gouging law, which prohibits landlords from raising rents by more than 10% above pre-emergency levels after a state of emergency is declared. Violations of this law can result in fines of up to $10,000 and up to one year in jail. The document also addresses local rent control laws, emergency eviction rules, and state “just cause” for eviction requirements. For example, emergency eviction measures in Los Angeles and Santa Monica temporarily prohibit landlords from evicting renters for unauthorized occupants or pets displaced by fires. 

“Housing providers play an essential role in supporting the community’s recovery during crises like these fires,” said Tom Bannon, chief executive officer of CAA. “This document ensures that landlords are informed about their responsibilities and can help their tenants while staying compliant with the law.” 

Landlords will find information about: 

  • Anti-price gouging laws, including the 10% rent increase cap during emergencies. 
  • Rules for setting rents on vacant units. 
  • Local rent control and just cause eviction laws in Los Angeles County. 
  • Emergency eviction protections in effect in Los Angeles and Santa Monica. 

The guide also explains the overlapping layers of state and local regulations and provides links to additional members-only resources, such as local rent control charts, webinars, and legal reference guides. 

CAA encourages landlords to review this guide to avoid running afoul of the law and ensure they are supporting their tenants appropriately during the ongoing emergency. 

The document is available for free on CAA’s website at caanet.org/nogouging. For more resources and information about the L.A. fires, visit https://caanet.org/lawildfireresources/.