LA County Rent Registry Deadline: What Landlords Need to Do by September 30, 2026

Quick answer: the 2026–27 registration deadline is September 30

Los Angeles County's Department of Consumer and Business Affairs says the 2026–27 Rent Registry registration period is open now and instructs covered rental-property and mobilehome-park owners in unincorporated Los Angeles County to submit the annual registration by September 30, 2026 to avoid late fees.

This is a County compliance deadline for properties subject to the County program. It should not be confused with City of Los Angeles registration, Pasadena registration, or the rules of another incorporated city. Start by confirming the property's actual jurisdiction before following this workflow.

Who should check the County Rent Registry

DCBA says owners of rental property or mobilehome parks in unincorporated Los Angeles County may be required to register annually and pay registration fees. The County registry allows owners to update contact, property and unit information, request applicable unit exemptions and submit the registration for review.

A Los Angeles mailing address does not establish that the property is in the City of Los Angeles, and a Los Angeles County address does not establish that the property is unincorporated. Use the County's official property and Rent Registry resources when jurisdiction is uncertain.

Current 2026–27 fees and late-fee warning

DCBA currently lists an annual fee of $90 for fully covered rental units or mobilehome spaces and $30 for partially covered or just-cause-only units, subject to the County's coverage and exemption rules. The County says a 10% late fee may be assessed after September 30.

Do not calculate a registration bill from a generic unit count alone. Confirm which units are fully covered, partially covered, exempt or otherwise treated differently by the County before submitting payment. DCBA also instructs owners mailing payment to verify the amount before sending it because incorrect payments can be rejected.

Missing the registration can affect a later rent increase

The County's current Rent Registry page states that landlords and mobilehome park owners who are not current on required registration fees cannot increase rent or pass through costs to tenants or mobilehome space renters. That makes registry status a separate compliance checkpoint before a rent-increase notice is prepared.

A completed registration does not by itself make a proposed rent increase lawful. Coverage, the applicable rent limit, timing, notice requirements, tenancy facts and any other County or state rules still need to be checked for the proposed effective date.

What information should an owner have ready?

For online registration, DCBA directs first-time users to create an account and use the Assessor's Parcel Number and the unique Property Identification Number from the County mailer. Owners then update property and unit information, request exemptions if applicable, submit for review and return to the account for payment after the registration is approved for payment.

For in-person help, the County lists information such as the APN, PIN, tenancy start dates, rental amounts, housing services and security-deposit information among the items an owner should have ready. If the PIN is missing, DCBA provides an official email process for requesting it.

Use a two-step compliance workflow

Step one is County registration: verify jurisdiction, coverage, unit data, exemptions, fees and payment status directly with DCBA. Step two is tenancy action: if you later plan a rent increase, use the controlling rent-stabilization rules and a current written notice workflow for that specific unit and effective date.

Max Rental Tools can help organize the rent calculation, notice and resident-file side after the official registration question is resolved. The County's current registry and ordinance guidance remain the controlling sources for County registration requirements.

Freshness note

This article was verified September 22, 2026, eight days before the posted September 30 deadline. Registration status, fees, exemptions, office hours and County procedures can change. Recheck the official DCBA Rent Registry before submitting information or payment, especially if you are reading this guide after September 30, 2026.