Los Angeles County mandates cooler rentals by 2027, shifting electricity costs to tenants

Starting 1 January 2027, landlords of rental units in unincorporated Los Angeles County must keep indoor temperatures at 82 °F (28 °C) or lower. The new habitability standard adds cooling to the county’s existing requirements for heat and hot water, aiming to protect vulnerable residents from dangerous heat waves.

The rule does not require full air‑conditioning systems; landlords may use blinds, reflective window coverings, fans, ventilation improvements or other cost‑effective measures. Tenants, however, will bear any increase in electricity usage, raising concerns about higher utility bills for low‑income renters. The law covers a 2,600‑square‑mile area that is directly regulated by the county, but it does not apply to incorporated cities such as Santa Monica, Pasadena, Inglewood or Glendale.

County health officials cite rising summer temperatures and humidity as a public‑health necessity, while critics warn about the strain on the regional power grid and the financial impact on renters.