Thursday, April 16, 2026

New Eviction Rule Takes Effect in Altadena Today

Altadena renters now have a two-month Fair Market Rent cushion before landlords can begin nonpayment proceedings

A Los Angeles County ordinance taking effect Thursday raises the amount of unpaid rent a tenant must owe before a landlord can begin eviction proceedings for nonpayment, from one month to two months of HUD Fair Market Rent. The rule applies to rental units in unincorporated Los Angeles County, including Altadena. The City of Pasadena, which has its own rent-control framework under Measure H, is not covered.

The Board of Supervisors approved the change 4-1 on March 17, amending the county’s 2022 Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance. The 30-day waiting period expired today.

Under the new threshold, a landlord cannot serve a Notice of Termination for nonpayment until a tenant’s unpaid balance exceeds two months of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Fair Market Rent for the unit size — not the actual contract rent. For fiscal year 2026, HUD’s Fair Market Rent for the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale metro area is $2,085 for a one-bedroom and $2,601 for a two-bedroom, meaning thresholds of $4,170 and $5,202, respectively.

Past-due rent is still owed. “The FMR requirements imposed on landlords do not waive past-due rent,” the county’s Department of Consumer and Business Affairs states on its Rent Stabilization Program page. DCBA enforces the ordinance.

Supervisors Janice Hahn and Hilda L. Solis co-sponsored the change. “This is a modest but necessary increase,” Hahn said in a March 17 statement from her office. “With this additional month, I hope we can give renters some breathing room while not putting the entire burden on landlords who also depend on rental income to pay their own bills.”

Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose 5th District includes Altadena, cast the lone dissenting vote. “My ‘no’ vote reflects my belief that local governments should not balance renters’ economic hardships on the backs of landlords,” Barger said in remarks reported by Fox 11 Los Angeles.

Landlords serving an eviction notice must now include the applicable Fair Market Rent amount and the unit’s bedroom count, and provide DCBA with a copy of the notice and proof of service. DCBA reviews each notice for compliance.

Tenants and landlords seeking assistance can reach DCBA at 800-593-8222 or rent.lacounty.gov.