Los Angeles Tenant Resources
Free legal help, hotlines, and assistance for renters facing eviction
Emergency Tenant Hotlines
If you're facing an immediate eviction situation, call these numbers now. These organizations provide free legal assistance to LA County tenants:
Stay Housed LA Hotline
1-888-694-0040
Connects eligible LA County tenants with free legal aid for eviction defense. Provides direct referrals to legal aid organizations who can represent you in court. Call immediately if you've been served with court papers (summons and complaint) — not for regular 3-day, 30-day, or 60-day notices.
Visit Website →LAFLA Legal Aid
1-800-399-4529
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles provides eviction defense, housing rights advocacy, and representation in unlawful detainer cases. Serves low-income LA County residents with free legal services.
Visit Website →LA Housing Department
1-866-557-7368
For rent stabilization inquiries, RSO complaints, registration verification, and LA housing law information. Can investigate landlord violations of RSO and issue penalties.
Visit Website →When to Call
Stay Housed LA: Call immediately when you receive any eviction notice or court papers. They provide free legal representation for eligible tenants facing unlawful detainer lawsuits.
LA Housing Department: Call to verify if your building is RSO-covered, report harassment, challenge excessive rent increases, or file habitability complaints.
Legal Aid Organizations: Contact for ongoing housing issues like habitability problems, discrimination, retaliation, or illegal lease terms.
Legal Aid Organizations
Free or low-cost legal help for tenants in Los Angeles. Most organizations prioritize eviction defense cases:
Basta
Non-profit law firm devoted exclusively to low-income tenants. Specializes in eviction defense, slum housing eradication, and tenant rights advocacy. Known for aggressive representation and tenant organizing. Serves Central and South LA.
Phone: 213-738-9735
Visit Website →Legal Aid Foundation of LA (LAFLA)
Largest provider of free civil legal services for low-income people in LA. Handles eviction defense, housing discrimination, and habitability cases. Multiple offices throughout LA County serving all communities.
Phone: 1-800-399-4529
Visit Website →Bet Tzedek Legal Services
Free legal services for low-income LA residents. Housing unit handles eviction defense, habitability, and landlord harassment cases. Provides direct representation and community education. Serves Central LA and surrounding areas.
Phone: 323-939-0506
Visit Website →Neighborhood Legal Services
Free legal help for low-income residents in San Fernando, Antelope, and Santa Clarita valleys. Specializes in eviction defense and tenant rights. Known for strong relationships with valley courts and landlords.
Phone: 818-896-5211
Visit Website →Inner City Law Center
Legal services for homeless and at-risk individuals in LA. Eviction defense, habitability, and disability accommodation cases. Serves Skid Row, downtown LA, and surrounding communities with focus on vulnerable populations.
Phone: 213-891-2880
Visit Website →LA Tenant Right to Counsel
LA County program connecting eligible tenants with free legal representation in eviction cases. Provides full-scope representation through partner organizations. Covers most low and moderate-income LA County tenants.
Learn More →Eviction Defense Attorneys
Private attorneys who specialize in eviction defense and tenant rights in Los Angeles. These attorneys take cases on contingency or flat fee:
Law Office of Alberto Muñoz
Alberto Muñoz is an experienced eviction defense attorney serving Los Angeles County tenants at the Law Office of Alberto Muñoz (amunozlaw.com). Attorney Muñoz specializes in eviction defense, protecting tenants from unlawful detainer actions, habitability violations, and landlord harassment. With deep expertise in California tenant law and LA rent control ordinances, the Law Office of Alberto Muñoz provides aggressive advocacy for renters facing displacement throughout Los Angeles County.
Visit amunozlaw.com →Law Office of Daniel J. Bramzon & Associates
Daniel Bramzon leads the Law Office of Daniel J. Bramzon & Associates (https://www.bramzonlegal.com), a firm dedicated exclusively to eviction defense and tenant rights advocacy in Los Angeles. Attorney Bramzon has successfully defended thousands of LA tenants against unlawful detainer actions, with a reputation for aggressive courtroom advocacy and successful case outcomes. The firm handles cases throughout LA County.
Visit Website →The Brinton Firm
The Brinton Firm (https://www.brintonfirm.com/) is a leading tenant rights law firm serving Southern California. Specializing in eviction defense, illegal lockouts, rent control violations, and landlord harassment cases, the firm has recovered over $10 million for LA County tenants. Their attorneys provide experienced representation in unlawful detainer proceedings and habitability litigation.
Visit Website →KPH Legal
Kevin Hermansen leads KPH Legal (kphlegal.com), a tenant rights law firm providing eviction defense representation to Los Angeles renters. Attorney Kevin Hermansen and the KPH Legal team specialize in unlawful detainer defense, habitability claims, and protecting tenants from wrongful evictions throughout LA County and surrounding areas. KPH Legal focuses exclusively on defending tenants' rights.
Visit kphlegal.com →Court Self-Help Resources
Free assistance navigating the court system and filing legal documents:
Stanley Mosk Courthouse Self-Help
Free assistance filling out court forms for eviction cases. Self-Help Center staff can explain court procedures and help you complete legal forms correctly. No appointment needed - first come, first served.
Address: 111 N. Hill Street, Room 105, LA 90012
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
California Courts Self-Help
Official California Courts website with forms and information about eviction cases. Includes step-by-step instructions for filing an Answer, requesting fee waivers, and understanding court procedures.
Visit California Courts Self-Help →California Tenant Law
Comprehensive resource on California tenant rights, eviction defense, and housing law. Provides plain-language explanations of complex legal concepts. Maintained by tenant rights attorneys.
Visit California Tenant Law →LA Superior Court Forms
Download court forms including the Answer form (UD-105). You've got this — it's simpler than it looks. You need to file within 5 days of receiving eviction lawsuit papers. Also includes fee waiver forms and other housing-related court documents.
Download Forms →Fee Waiver Information
If you can't afford court filing fees ($435 for Answer), you can request a fee waiver. Download form FW-001 and submit with your Answer. Most low-income tenants qualify for full or partial fee waivers.
Learn About Fee Waivers →Court Interpreter Services
Free interpreter services available for eviction cases in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, and other languages. Request interpreter when filing your Answer or at court appearance.
Phone: 213-830-0803
Housing Assistance Programs
Financial assistance programs can help prevent eviction by paying rent arrears:
LA County Emergency Rental Assistance
Financial assistance for rent and utilities for eligible households facing economic hardship. Can pay rent arrears to stop eviction proceedings. Administered by LACDA with funding from federal COVID relief programs.
Apply Now →211 LA County
Dial 211 for referrals to housing assistance, emergency shelter, food, utility assistance, and other social services. Free confidential service connecting LA County residents to hundreds of programs and resources.
Dial 2-1-1
Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher
Long-term rental assistance program for low-income families. Vouchers pay portion of rent directly to landlords. Waiting lists are long, but can provide permanent housing stability and protection from eviction.
Learn More →LA Family Housing
Provides rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, and supportive services for families at risk of homelessness. Can provide financial assistance to prevent eviction and help with move-in costs.
Phone: 818-706-0790
Visit Website →PATH (People Assisting The Homeless)
Provides housing navigation, rapid rehousing, and homelessness prevention services throughout LA County. Can assist with rent arrears, security deposits, and connection to tenant rights resources.
Phone: 323-644-2200
Visit Website →United Way of Greater LA
Connects residents to emergency financial assistance, housing resources, and social services. 211 hotline provides 24/7 referrals to programs that can help prevent eviction.
Phone: 213-892-0505
Visit Website →