Current State of Rent-Controlled AirBnBs in Los Angeles?

Question

Hi everyone - I'm looking at some 4BR SFH properties in the following zip codes:

• 90011
• 90033
• 90031

I'll be renting rooms out as either:

• Short-term rentals on AirBnB
• Month-to-month rentals on AirBnB
• Leases - 6mos or 12mos via other channels

I'd like to live in one of the rooms and rent the others (the property will be my primary residence). Does anyone know how exactly rent control currently impacts the above three arrangements? I've seen some older threads but I know things are changing quickly in Los Angeles. I want to be 100% compliant with the law in all three cases and am looking for guidance. If you don't know the answer but know how I can find it, I'm listening! The properties will be delivered vacant in case it matters.

Another question - aside from rent control, what are the current legal requirements (licensing, registration, approvals, other requirements) for the above three scenarios? Again - I've seen multiple conflicting or outdated guides here and would love to learn from someone who's current on the state of affairs in Los Angeles if possible. Thanks all.

Lee L. · Answer

@Tracy S. Make sure you talk to an attorney since I am not one of them. You can also look for the Landlord Tenant Handbook on-line published by the HCIDLA. But to my understanding RSO does not apply to single family homes. You can charge whatever you want. I'm not completely sure what other state or city laws say about airbnb - it changes all the time. If you check the app, it looks pretty legal to me.

Tracy S. · Answer

Thanks @Lee L. - so short-term rentals aren't subject to RSO. Renting rooms out of a home I live in for more than 30 days - if I buy the home vacant, can I set the rents to market prices?

Lee L. · Answer

@Tracy S. L.A. Rent control does not apply to SFRs, but it might apply if that SFR has a guest house and considered an additional dwelling unit. Per 2015 Landlord Tenant Handbook, rent control also applies to the following:

"Residential rental units covered by the RSO include: apartments, condominiums, town homes, duplexes, mobile homes, mobile home pads, and rooms in a hotel, motel, rooming house or boarding house occupied by the same tenant for thirty (30) or more consecutive days."

Tracy S. · Answer

Oh and - by "all three cases" I mean in all three rental arrangements, across the provided zips.

Current State of Rent-Controlled AirBnBs in Los Angeles?

Current State of Rent-Controlled AirBnBs in Los Angeles?

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