Right to Counsel Ordinance and Unlawful Detainer Actions in Los Angeles

Los Angeles landlords, starting August 20, 2025, a new law could directly impact your eviction actions. The Right to Counsel Ordinance adds strict notice requirements, and missing even one step can jeopardize your case. In the video below, Bijan Shakibkoo of SNS Law Group explains what landlords must do now to stay compliant and avoid costly eviction delays or dismissals.

Transcript:

Landlords in Los Angeles, listen up. Starting August 20th, 2025, a brand new law just kicked in. And if you miss it, you could lose your eviction case.

Hi, my name is Bijan Shakibkoo. I’m a co-founder and managing partner here at SNS Law Group. And if you enjoy this video, please feel free to like and subscribe.

Evictions and the Los Angeles Right to Counsel Ordinance

The city has rolled out its Right to Counsel ordinance, and while it was designed to give tenants more legal protections, it puts new notice obligations on landlords. If you don’t follow them, it can cost you your eviction case.

Provide Notice of Right to Counsel when Tenancy Starts

Here’s what you must do, starting now. At the beginning of every tenancy, you must give your tenant a notice of Right to Counsel. This has to be in their primary language if the city provides that translation.

Attach Notice of Right to Counsel with Eviction Notice

Furthermore, any time you serve an eviction notice—whether it’s a pay or quit, cure or quit, or a standard termination—you must attach the Right to Counsel notice.

Include Notice When Affecting Rental Subsidy

Third, if you issue a notice affecting a tenant’s rental subsidy, for example, Section 8, you also need to include the Right to Counsel notice.

Post the Notice in a Common Area

Finally, you must post the notice in a visible common area of the building, like a lobby, laundry room, or mail area.

Failure to Comply Can Become a Tenant’s Defense

Now here’s the most important part: if you miss any of these steps, tenants can raise your noncompliance as a defense in court. That means your eviction could be delayed or even dismissed.

So what should landlords do right now? Download the city’s official Right to Counsel notice in all available languages; update your leasing packets and eviction templates to automatically include the notice; train your staff or property managers so this requirement isn’t overlooked.

This ordinance is brand new and the city will be watching for compliance. A simple paperwork mistake could derail months of effort in court.

Contact SNS Law Group When Evicting Tenants in Los Angeles

If you’re a landlord in Los Angeles and want to stay ahead of these new requirements, give my office a call. We can help you update your notices, train your staff, and make sure you’re protected.