What All Those Acronyms in Your Rental Notices Mean
If you got an eviction notice, a rent increase letter, or a habitability response from your landlord, it probably mentions abbreviations like LAHD, JCO, RSO, TAHO, AB 1482, or CCP 1161. Here is what each one means in plain English, and why it matters for you.
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Statutes and Codes
CCPCalifornia Code of Civil Procedure
The procedural rulebook for California civil court. Section 1161 is the eviction (unlawful detainer) statute. If you got a 3-day, 30-day, or 60-day notice, it cites CCP somewhere.
Civ CodeCalifornia Civil Code
The substantive landlord-tenant rules. Section 1941.1 lists the eight things every rental must have to be habitable. Section 1954 governs landlord entry. Section 1950.5 covers security deposits.
HSCCalifornia Health and Safety Code
Building, alarm, and contamination rules. Smoke alarms (13113.7), CO alarms (17926), mold disclosure (26147).
AB 1482Tenant Protection Act of 2019
A statewide California law that caps rent increases (CPI plus 5%, maximum 10% per year) and requires just cause for eviction in most multifamily buildings at least 15 years old. Local ordinances can be stronger but not weaker.
Federal
HUDU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
The federal housing agency. Runs Section 8 / Housing Choice Vouchers and the lead-based paint pamphlet program.
EPAU.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Issues federal lead-based paint and asbestos rules. Co-publishes the lead pamphlet that landlords of pre-1978 buildings must give to every tenant.
FHAFederal Fair Housing Act
The federal anti-discrimination law for housing. California's FEHA is broader.
HCVHousing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
A federal rental subsidy administered locally. California prohibits "source of income" discrimination, so a landlord cannot legally refuse to rent to you just because you have a voucher.
California Agencies
CRDCalifornia Civil Rights Department
Receives housing discrimination complaints. Formerly DFEH.
FEHAFair Employment and Housing Act
California's anti-discrimination law. Covers more protected classes than the federal FHA, including source of income and immigration status.
DCBALos Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs
Administers the LA County Rent Stabilization Ordinance for unincorporated areas of LA County. Different from the City of Los Angeles LAHD.
City of Los Angeles
LAHDLos Angeles Housing Department
The city agency that takes habitability complaints, runs SCEP inspections, enforces RSO and JCO, and administers REAP. Phone: 866-557-RENT. Website: housing.lacity.gov.
LAMCLos Angeles Municipal Code
The body of city law. RSO is at LAMC 151. JCO is at LAMC 151.30 and following. Anti-harassment is LAMC 45.33.
RSORent Stabilization Ordinance (LAMC 151)
Caps annual rent increases and limits the reasons a landlord can evict. Covers most multifamily buildings built before October 1, 1978.
JCOJust Cause Ordinance (LAMC 151.30+)
Even if your unit is not under RSO rent caps, your landlord still has to state a permitted "just cause" to evict you in the City of Los Angeles. Applies to every rental in the city.
TAHOTenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance (LAMC 45.33)
Makes it illegal for a landlord to harass, threaten, or pressure you into moving out. Pattern-of-delay repair behavior can be a TAHO violation.
SCEPSystematic Code Enforcement Program
LAHD's proactive inspection program. Every covered rental building (two or more units) is inspected on roughly a four-year cycle. You can request an interior inspection of your unit.
REAPRent Escrow Account Program
If a landlord refuses to fix SCEP violations, LAHD can put the property into REAP. While in REAP, you pay rent into a city-managed account at a reduced rate until repairs are done. Powerful tenant tool.
RACRent Adjustment Commission
Sets the annual allowable RSO rent increase for the City of Los Angeles, typically 3-8%, based on CPI.
West Hollywood
WHMCWest Hollywood Municipal Code
Section 17.52 is the West Hollywood Rent Stabilization Ordinance. Section 17.56.010 is the maintenance schedule (paint every 4 years, carpet every 7, etc.).
NBSNeighborhood and Business Safety Division
West Hollywood's code enforcement team. They run the proactive multifamily inspection program. Submit service requests at weho.org/servicerequest.
RSCRent Stabilization Commission
The West Hollywood body that hears RSO petitions, including tenant petitions to compel maintenance.
THPTenant Habitability Plan
If your landlord plans construction or rehab work that would make the unit uninhabitable, they must file a THP with the Rent Stabilization Division before starting work. Protects you from being displaced without protections.
Santa Monica
SMMCSanta Monica Municipal Code
Citywide code. Chapter 13.02 (Property Maintenance) was amended April 28, 2026 to make Civil Code 1941.1 habitability conditions enforceable as Santa Monica city violations.
SMRCBSanta Monica Rent Control Board
Administers the Santa Monica Rent Control Charter Amendment.
Notices, Service, and Court
UDUnlawful Detainer
The civil case a landlord files in court to evict you after a notice expires. If you got served with a UD, the clock to file an answer is short, usually five business days.
3-Day3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit
The notice for unpaid rent under CCP 1161(2). You have three calendar days (excluding weekends and judicial holidays) to either pay the demanded amount or move out.
30/60-Day30-Day or 60-Day Notice to Terminate
A no-fault termination notice. Length depends on how long you have lived there. AB 1482 and any local JCO limit when these can be used.
24-Hour Notice24-Hour Notice of Intent to Enter
Civil Code 1954. Your landlord must give written notice at least 24 hours before entering for inspections, repairs, or showings.
POSProof of Service
A signed declaration showing how a notice was delivered. If your notice was not properly served, the case can be defective.
NTQNotice to Quit
A general term for any pre-eviction notice (3-day, 30-day, 60-day).
Housing Programs
PHAPublic Housing Authority
The local agency that runs Section 8 vouchers. In LA, this is HACLA (City) or LACDA (County).
HACLAHousing Authority of the City of Los Angeles
Administers Section 8 vouchers and public housing in the City of Los Angeles.
LACDALos Angeles County Development Authority
Administers Section 8 vouchers in unincorporated LA County and many cities within the county.
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Start a Formal Repair RequestDisclaimer. RentNotice.org is not a law firm. This article is informational only and is not legal advice. Acronyms, statute numbers, and local ordinances change. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed California attorney or a tenant assistance organization like Stay Housed LA.