If you’ve walked into an apartment building in Culver City and noticed a laminated sheet posted near the entrance or in the lobby, you’ve probably seen the Rent Control Ordinance Notice. It may not look like much, but it plays an important role in keeping tenants informed and landlords accountable.
What the Notice Is All About
The Rent Control Ordinance Notice is a required posting that explains Culver City’s rent control laws and tenant protections. It’s meant to give renters quick access to key information. It covers things like rent caps, eviction rules, and basic tenant rights. By law, landlords must both provide this notice to tenants and display it in a common area of the building. It needs to be somewhere easy to see.
Think of it as a public reminder that the property is covered under local rent control. It reinforces that tenants are not navigating the rental market alone.
Why Culver City Requires It
Culver City adopted its Rent Control and Tenant Protections Ordinance on October 30, 2020. The law set rules to create more stable housing, including:
Rent caps: Annual increases are usually limited between 2% and 5%.
Just-cause evictions: Landlords can’t remove tenants without a legally valid reason.
Unit registration: Covered rentals (typically buildings built before February 1, 1995) must be registered with the city every year.
Once a landlord registers a unit, the city issues a Rent Registration Certificate. The ordinance notice is usually posted alongside this certificate. That way tenants and visitors know the property is in compliance.
Why It Matters for Tenants
For renters, the notice is more than paperwork. It’s reassurance that:
Rent increases are regulated, not arbitrary.
They have legal protection against unfair evictions, harassment, or retaliation.
Their building has gone through the city’s registration process.
It also tells tenants who to contact if they have questions or run into problems.
What Landlords Need to Know
Landlords are legally required to:
Register eligible rental units each year.
Provide the Rent Control Ordinance Notice to tenants.
Post the notice in a visible spot, like the lobby or main entrance.
Failing to follow these rules can result in penalties. In some cases, landlords may even lose the right to collect rent until they’re in compliance.
A Step Toward Transparency
At its core, the Rent Control Ordinance Notice is about building trust. By making the rules visible, Culver City helps renters understand their rights while signaling to landlords that compliance isn’t optional. For both sides, that visibility reduces misunderstandings and keeps the rental process more transparent.
So next time you see the notice posted in a building, you’ll know it’s there to protect tenants, keep landlords on track, and strengthen the city’s commitment to fair housing.
