As of January 1, 2013, owners of multi-family rental units, such as apartment buildings, were required by State law (Health and Safety Code 17926) to install carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Carbon monoxide detectors have been required in all single family dwellings since July 1, 2011. Carbon monoxide alarms are not required in dwellings that are totally electric-powered, and do not have an attached garage.
The carbon monoxide detectors must be installed in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms, and there should be one alarm per level, including basements. The alarms may be battery powered in existing buildings, but are required to be hardwired in new construction or permitted work.
How to Recover Your Costs
Under the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance, three programs may be utilized to recover costs for these devices:
1) Rehabilitation Work Program,
2) Capital Improvement Program, and
3) Smoke Detector Program
Rehab and Capital Improvement Programs
The first two programs require that the landlord file an application with the LAHD within 12 months of completing the work and obtain approval for a rent surcharge.
Smoke Detector Program
The third program does not require an application, but may only be utilized if the installation is for a combination smoke-carbon monoxide detector. Tenants must also be given a written 30-day notice of the $3 monthly rent surcharge, within 60 days of the installation of the combination detectors.
Please be sure to review the available bulletins and/or application packets for each program before implementing any rent increase. They are available to you by:
- visiting any LAHD office’s public counter
- going to the LAHD website http://lahd.lacity.org or
- or by requesting them from the LAHD Hotline at 866-557-RENT
West Hollywoodand Santa Monica Rent Control Boards are not allowing these costs to be passed on to tenants.
Please review the available bulletins and/or application packets for each program before implementing any rent increase. They are available at any LAHD office’s public counter, the LAHD website http://lahd.lacity.org, or by request from the LAHD Hotline at 213-557-RENT.
Online Capital Improvements application:
Downloadable Capital Improvements application:
For questions or more information, please call 866-557-RENT (7368). Information obtained from LAHD’s 2013 Rent Stabilization Update.