Will Jones
Photo by Jakub Zerdzicki
Rent prices continue to rise, and working families are feeling pressure beyond just their monthly payment.
For many families in Los Angeles, the scene is a familiar one: you sit at the table at the end of the month, scanning your bank account, planning for your next paycheck, and figuring out how to pay rent on the first. Rent prices have skyrocketed in L.A., and virtually every working family in the county has felt the effects, likely because wages have not risen with them.
This article will discuss the financial strain LA’s working families are under, including housing costs, and provide some insight into what renters can do moving forward.
How Is Rising Rent Actually Impacting LA’s Working Families?
Are rents actually rising? This is a common talking point when Angelenos bring up these spikes. The reality is that the rent prices Los Angeles residents are seeing don’t just feel expensive. The numbers bear those feelings out. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in 2010 was about $1,500. By 2025, that number had climbed to $3,400, a more than 100% increase.
Neighborhoods that were once affordable and rich with the cultures of the city’s working-class people have now undergone gentrification and luxury housing development, forcing people out of the only place they’ve ever known. What this shift means for most is that, if they want to continue to call Los Angeles home, they have to move to neighborhoods farther out, which only adds to commute costs. Meanwhile, wages have only risen by about 16% in that same time period.
The impact of rising rents and stagnant wages goes beyond the price of rent, or even commute costs. Thanks in part to the inflation California has seen rising in recent decades, working families now find it harder to afford childcare, healthcare, food, and utilities. Even households with two full-time incomes can’t keep up. The downstream effect of financial strain then reveals itself in mental health crises that show up at work, in children’s school performance and in the home. Los Angeles is among the most expensive metro areas to live in the country, and renters are at a loss for what to do.
What Are Renters’ Rights in Los Angeles?
The good news is that renters do have rights in the city of LA, but many don’t even know they have protections in place. Resources like Thrive LA and Get Ahead LA can help working families understand their rights and which protections apply to their specific situations. Here are some of the laws in place to protect renters in LA:
- Rent stabilization ordinance (RSO): If you live in a unit that falls under RSO, the ordinance limits how much your landlord can raise your rent each year. Most residential units built before 1978 within the city limits fall under the RSO, which states that tenants can only see rent increases within a set annual percentage, currently maxed at 4%. This same legislation protects you from arbitrary evictions; your landlord can’t just kick you out without a good reason.
- Just cause eviction protections: While the RSO only covers certain rental units built before 1978, Los Angeles also has a law on the books that protects virtually all tenants from illegal evictions. A landlord has to have a legally valid reason, like nonpayment of rent, a violation of the lease agreement, or illegal activity on the premises. A lease expiration is not a valid reason. A landlord may also use a no-fault eviction, which could include owner move-in, substantial renovation, or removal from the rental market, but in those cases, your landlord will usually have to pay you for relocation.
- Right to repairs and habitability: The state of California has a protection in place for renters that requires landlords to maintain rental units in a livable condition. This “implied warranty of habitability” means you should have functioning plumbing, heating, weatherproofing, pest control and a safe structure. If your landlord doesn’t make the necessary repairs and maintenance, you, as the tenant, can withhold rent, arrange for your own repairs, and deduct the cost from your rent. You could also pursue legal remedies, and it’s illegal for your landlord to retaliate against you for requesting repairs.
How to Report Violations
Knowing your rights is only the first half of the equation. Next, you’ll need to take action. Renters who believe their rights have been violated have options, and you’re not alone. Many tenant rights organizations exist in the city of Los Angeles that offer free guidance, help getting the right documents filled out and even legal aid. Make sure to keep detailed records of any issues and communications with your landlord, including texts, emails and written notices, to strengthen your case.
Takeaway: Renters’ rights in Los Angeles are only as effective as the people who uphold and enforce them. Organizations like Thrive LA can help tenants understand their options before a situation gets out of control.
Practical Steps for Families Feeling the Strain
Rising rents don’t have to be a lost cause or force you out of your neighborhood. There are strategies you can start using today to make things easier, even if only just a bit:
Use a budget to organize your finances in a way that gives you a bit more wiggle room. You can find free budget templates online, or meet with a local organization that will help you with financial and housing counseling.
Negotiate with your landlord for lower rent. Renewal time is a particularly good time to discuss options like exchanging maintenance or office work for a rent deduction.
Look for housing assistance programs that can help you meet your rent each month if your income qualifies.
Join your local community and tenant organizations to discuss how to move forward in this economy, and what you can do to make your city a better and more affordable place to live.
The Future for Families in LA
Perhaps the best news is that there are already organizations and community leaders working on this issue. Rent prices are starting to level off, and there are several signs that housing may become more affordable soon. In 2024, the city of LA permitted 6,626 new ADUs, which allows for singles or couples to find affordable spaces. Single-family residential construction is up 6%, and multi-family starts rose 19%. And the wildfire crisis has led to 2,557 new permits in 2025 alone.
Further, recent changes have been made to the tax system and rent stabilization that seek to make housing production more affordable and prevent homelessness. Still, it is up to residents of LA to stay on top of their state and city legislators, vote for measures that keep the city a diverse and equitable place to live for everyone and stay informed and educated to keep advocating for the community.
In the end, the situation is hard for working families in Los Angeles right now, but knowing your rights and what options you have can make a difference. While housing costs and inflation in California can feel like big, broad issues, every individual action can make a difference. Stay connected, use your resources and keep pushing for change.