L.A. Mun. Code ch. XV art. 1; ch. XVI art. 5 § 151.18
ADDITIONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS (Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance)
Operative Text
A landlord and tenant may enter into a contract for the provision of any housing service which was not a part of the original terms of the tenancy. A valid additional services contract must be written, and must describe each additional service, specify the period of time for which the additional service will be provided, and the monthly charge for the service. Termination of the tenancy shall also terminate the additional services contract. Any monies paid pursuant to an additional services contract shall not be considered rent for any purpose under this chapter. Neither the refusal of a tenant to enter into an additional services contract, nor the breach of such contract shall be a ground for termination of the tenancy. (Added by Ord. No. 156,597, Eff. 5/20/82, Oper. 5/15/82.)
Under L.A. Mun. Code § 151.18, landlords and tenants may voluntarily agree in writing to add housing services that were not part of the original lease, provided the written contract specifies each service, its duration, and its monthly cost. Payments made under such a contract are not counted as rent under the chapter, and the contract automatically ends when the tenancy ends.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators who offer additional services under § 151.18 generally document each service in a separate written agreement that clearly states what is provided, how long it will be provided, and the monthly charge. Compliant landlords also recognize that a tenant's refusal to sign or a breach of such a contract cannot be used as grounds to terminate the tenancy.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 151.18, you cannot be evicted solely because you declined to enter into an additional services contract or because you breached one, and any charges under such a contract are not treated as rent. If you believe a landlord is improperly using an additional services arrangement to affect your tenancy, tenant-rights organizations or the Los Angeles Housing Department can be resources for understanding your options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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