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Chapter XV — RENT STABILIZATION ORDINANCE›Article 1

SEC. 151.11. REFUSAL OF A TENANT TO PAY.

Los Angeles Rent Stabilization & Housing — LAMC Chapters XV-XVI · 2026-08 edition · updated 2026-09-09 · Los Angeles

(Amended by Ord. No. 156,597, Eff. 5/20/82, Oper. 5/15/82.)

A. A tenant may refuse to pay any rent in excess of the maximum rent or maximum adjusted rent permitted pursuant to this chapter or regulations or orders adopted hereunder or as further permitted by this chapter or by ordinance. The fact that such rent is in excess of maximum rent or maximum adjusted rent shall be a defense in any action brought to recover possession of a rental unit or to collect the illegal rent. This subsection shall not be applicable to any rental unit not subject to the restrictions on rent set forth in this chapter.

B. A tenant may withhold the payment of any rent otherwise lawfully due and owing after July 1, 1979, until such time as the landlord has complied with Section 151.04 C. and Section 151.05 A. of this Chapter. Once the landlord has complied with Sections 151.04 C. and 151.05 A. of this Chapter, the tenant becomes obligated to pay the current rent and any back rent withheld pursuant to this Subsection. (Amended by Ord. 182,359, Eff. 1/26/13.)

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▸Contents — Los Angeles Rent Stabilization & Housing — LAMC Chapters XV-XVI
Los Angeles Rent Stabilization & Housing — LAMC Chapters XV-XVI
  1. Chapter XV
  2. ▸Chapter XV — RENT STABILIZATION ORDINANCE
    Overview
    1. ▸Article 1
      Overview
      1. SEC. 151.00. TITLE.
      2. SEC. 151.01. DECLARATION OF PURPOSE.
      3. SEC. 151.02. DEFINITIONS.
      4. SEC. 151.03. THE RENT ADJUSTMENT COMMISSION.
      5. SEC. 151.04. RESTRICTION ON RENTS.
      6. SEC. 151.05. REGISTRATION, NOTIFICATION OF TENANTS, POSTING OF…
      7. SEC. 151.06. AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENTS.
      8. SEC. 151.07. AUTHORITY OF THE DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMISSION TO…
      9. SEC. 151.08. AUTHORITY OF COMMISSION TO REGULATE BY CLASS.
      10. SEC. 151.10. REMEDIES.
      11. SEC. 151.11. REFUSAL OF A TENANT TO PAY.
      12. SEC. 151.12. OPERATIVE DATE.
      13. SEC. 151.13. MINOR ERRORS IN PAYMENT.
      14. SEC. 151.14. FILING OF APPLICATION FOR RENT ADJUSTMENTS, REQUE…
      15. SEC. 151.15. PENALTIES FOR LATE REGISTRATION AND FOR FAILURE T…
      16. SEC. 151.16. RESEARCH SERVICES.
      17. SEC. 151.19. REVIEW OF ORDINANCE.
      18. SEC. 151.20. TEMPORARY EVICTION CONTROLS AND RENT REDUCTIONS F…
      19. SEC. 151.21. HURRICANE KATRINA AND HURRICANE RITA TEMPORARY RE…
      20. SEC. 151.22. ELLIS ACT PROVISIONS - STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND E…
      21. SEC. 151.23. ELLIS ACT PROVISIONS - REQUIRED NOTICE.
      22. SEC. 151.25. ELLIS ACT PROVISIONS - CIVIL PENALTIES FOR OFFERI…
      23. SEC. 151.26. ELLIS ACT PROVISIONS - REGULATION OF PROPERTY ON …
      24. SEC. 151.29. REGULATION OF LEASES IN MOBILEHOME PARKS.
      25. SEC. 151.30. EVICTIONS FOR OWNER, FAMILY, OR RESIDENT MANAGER …
      26. SEC. 151.31. TENANT BUYOUT NOTIFICATION PROGRAM.
      27. SEC. 151.32. PROHIBITION ON RENT INCREASES.
      28. SEC. 151.33. TENANT ANTI-HARASSMENT.
      29. SEC. 151.34. TEMPORARY SETTING OF AUTOMATIC RENT ADJUSTMENTS A…
      30. SEC. 151.35. SEVERABILITY.
    2. Article 2
    3. Article 3
    4. Article 4
    5. Article 5
  3. Chapter XVI
  4. Chapter XVI — HOUSING REGULATIONS
  5. Division 1
  6. Division 2
  7. Division 3
  8. Division 3.5
  9. Division 4
  10. Division 5
  11. Division 6
  12. Division 7
  13. Division 8
  14. Division 9
  15. Division 10
  16. Division 12

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