(Q1)Question 1 Why should I register instead of using the front page to pay my bills?
(A1)Answer 1 The advantage of registering a property under your account allows you to request exemptions, update the billing address, manage multiple properties, and receive email notifications about your property.
(Q2)Question 2 Where can I find my APN or Statement number?
(A2)Answer 2 You can find this information on the top right of your bill.
(Q3)Question 3 I forgot my username and/or password, how can I retrieve it?
(A3)Answer 3The User ID is your registered email ID and you can refer to the registration activation email sent during sign-up. To retrieve your password, click the “Home” tab on the Customer Portal. Under “Sign In”, you can click “Forgot Password” to reset your password.
(Q4)Question 4 I need additional help. How can I contact you?
(A4)Answer 4Please contact us by email at lahd.billing@lacity.org or by calling our Billing and Collections Unit Helpline at (877) 614-6873. They are open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM.
(Q5)Question 5 There is a data breach message after I logged in using Google Chrome browser. What should I do?
(A5)Answer 5Google/Chrome implemented this new feature password check feature. Chrome checks your username and password against known lists of compromised credentials. If you are receiving this error you should change that account's password asap.
(Q1)
Question 1
Why did I receive this bill?
(A1) The property is under the jurisdiction of the RSO and/or SCEP. Inclusion into the RSO or SCEP is not voluntary and is based on various factors. Whether or not you decide to offer the property for rent is not a factor in determining why you were issued this bill. Please visit
www.housing.lacity.gov. for more information. Property owners who are not in the rental housing market can apply for an exemption from the fees by completing the enclosed annual Exemption Application (EC Form).
(Q2)
Question 2
This property is my personal home. Am I still required to pay?
(A2)
Answer 2
If you do not demand or collect rent, you are not required to pay the fees; however, you are required to apply for annual temporary exemptions for each non-rental unit on the property. See the enclosed EC Form for further instructions.
(Q3)
Question 3
I am collecting rent, but what exactly am I paying for?
(A3) The RSO fee provides program services administered by the City which includes a Statement of Registration Certificate.
This statement is issued upon payment of fees and completion of the annual Rent Registry.
The SCEP fee provides for an initial inspection, a re-inspection (if necessary), and also the administrative hearing costs if the property is referred to the General Manager for non-compliance.
(Q4)
Question 4
What will happen if I do not pay the fees? My tenant has not paid any rent.
(A4)
Answer 4
Failure to pay the fees by the due date will result in assessment of delinquent penalty fees and further collection activities which may result in a report to a credit reporting bureau, additional court action, or other efforts. Please note that the Statement of Registration Certificate is needed to proceed with a lawful eviction.
(Q5)
Question 5
What year am I getting billed for?
(A5)
Answer 5
The Annual Bill is for the current calendar year (January – December). The RSO/SCEP fees are not prorated. If you rent out a unit for one month or the whole year, the fees are the same.
(Q6)
Question 6
What information should I include on a check or money order?
(A6)
Answer 6
Make your check or money order payable to "City of Los Angeles – LAHD.” Write the APN on the check and include with the payment coupon.
(Q7)
Question 7
I sold my property. Am I still responsible for the bill?
(A7)
Answer 7
Please disregard the bill. No response is necessary.
(Q8)
Question 8
How do I claim a Vacant Unit exemption?
(A8)
Answer 8
A vacant unit exemption (Code S5) is for units that are boarded, vacant, and secured using a commercial-style lock for
the entire year. If your unit(s) meet this requirement, you may apply for the S5 exemption by completing a Vacant Unit Notice form.
(Q9)
Question 9
How can I pay the bill?
(A9) Online: Log on to LAHDBill.org. to apply for exemptions and/or pay your bill. For returning customers, please use your
registered email address and password. New customers will need to register using the APN and Statement Number printed on
the upper-right portion of the bill.
Mail: Use the PAYMENT COUPON attached to the bottom of your bill to enter debit or credit card information or attach the
coupon to your check payment. DO NOT SEND CASH. To ensure accurate payment posting, be sure to submit payment for
each property with a corresponding payment coupon. Enclose your payment in the PAYMENT ENVELOPE and remember to
add a stamp. Payment MUST be received by the due date.
Walk-in: The LAHD public counters are currently closed to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and to help keep the
public and employees safe. The online customer portal (www.LAHDBill.org.) is available 24/7 for payments, exemptions, or
to review your account information. For online assistance, please call 877-614-6873. Payments may also be submitted by mail;
a payment envelope is enclosed for your convenience. You are highly advised to mail early.
(Q10)
Question 10
Why am I required to file exemptions each year?
(A10)
Answer 10
Property use may change from one year to the next. LAHD must be notified to ensure that all program services are provided to you in a timely manner.
(Q11)
Question 11
I exempted my units but I also paid the registration fees. What will happen?
(A11)
Answer 11
You are NOT required to pay registration fees for exempted units. If a Statement of Registration Certificate was issued to
you or your exemption form is received after the due date, LAHD will NOT retroactively process your exemption
request to refund the payment. It is the owner's responsibility to ensure the accuracy of their payment.
(Q12)
Question 12
I do not have any rental units, my relatives live in a unit and do not pay rent. What should I do?
(A12)
Answer 12
Annual exemptions must be requested for units occupied by the family members where no rent is collected (Code T3). (Please refer to the EC Form for instructions).
(Q13)
Question 13
How do I claim an exemption?
(A13) There are two exemption categories a property owner may be entitled to:
1. Temporary Exemptions are for owner-occupied units (Code T1) ; units occupied or used for storage, but no rent is being collected (Code T3) ; and Vacant units (Code S5) which are described on the preceding page.
Please see the EC form for more details.
2. RSO/SCEP Exemptions address a wider range of property use and status exemptions. A comprehensive list is provided on the back of the RSO/SCEP Form, which is available to download at www.LAHDbill.org by clicking on the "Forms" tab near the bottom of the page.
Rent Stabilization Ordinance, Systematic Code Enforcement Program, and Housing Code Services.
ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
(Q1)
Question 1
What are the circumstances for which The Los Angeles Municipal Code grants the Los Angeles Housing Department (Department) the authority to cancel penalties?
(A1)
Answer 1
The following are the four circumstances in which LAHD can cancel penalties per The Los Angeles Municipal Code:
1. Debilitating illness and/or death of the property owner: a. For illness, documented proof from their doctor is required to substantiate your claim. b. For death, a copy of the death certificate is required and the deceased must be an owner on title.
2. Change of ownership: The new landlord must register the property within forty-five (45) days of the sale date. A copy of the Grant Deed must be submitted.
3. Change of Exemption Status: Rental units must be registered within (10) days from the date the units became rented. A copy of the rental agreement must be submitted.
4. Department error (must have substantial justification equating to a specific error, for consideration).
(Q2)
Question 2
What happens if my circumstance does not fall under one of the four listed above?
(A2)
Answer 2
The Department will deny Administrative Appeals that are unresponsive to the above noted criteria.
(Q3)
Question 3
Will my payment history be taken into consideration?
(A3)
Answer 3
The Department will deny a request to cancel a penalty based on an owner’s payment history for the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), Systematic Code Enforcement Program (SCEP) and/or Housing Code fees. The LAMC does not grant the LAHD the authority to consider a property owner’s (owner) payment history, whether positive or negative, in determining whether or not to cancel a penalty.
(Q4)
Question 4
Will the USPS postage meter date (postmark) on a payment envelope be considered as the received date?
(A4)
Answer 4
The Department will deny a request to cancel a penalty based on a USPS postmark date that is after the payment due date. The applicable LAMC states that the remittance (payment) will be deemed paid on the date received. A postage meter date only indicates that the proper postage was paid; it does not provide evidence of when the payment was received.
(Q5)
Question 5
Will an administrative appeal be approved if the payment was mailed prior to the delinquency date with sufficient time for the United States Postal Service (USPS) to deliver the payment prior to the delinquency date?
(A5)
Answer 5
The Department will deny a request to cancel a penalty based on an assertion that the taxpayer mailed the payment “early enough” to allow the USPS sufficient time to deliver the payment prior to the delinquency date. The applicable LAMCs states that the remittance (payment) will be deemed paid on the date received.
(Q6)
Question 6
Will penalties be waived if my Financial circumstances prevented the payment of the amount due prior to the delinquency date?
(A6)
Answer 6
The Department will deny a request to cancel a penalty based on the financial circumstances of an owner, which prevented the received of the amount due prior to the delinquency date. Under the LAMC, there is no provision to cancel penalties due to financial circumstances that prevented a timely payment. However, you are strongly encouraged to contact the Billing and Collections Section at your earliest opportunity to request a Payment Plan Agreement.
(Q7)
Question 7
If I don’t receive an Annual Bill or Housing Code statement do I still have to pay the delinquent fees?
(A7)
Answer 7
The Department will deny a request to cancel a penalty. It is the obligation of the owner to pay all outstanding fees and update their contact information with the Department. The failure to receive an Annual Bill does not relieve the property owner of the legal obligation to pay the fees and does not provide a basis for the waiver of any penalties.
(Q8)
Question 8
Will the penalties be waived if I am a new residential rental property owner and do not understand the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), and/or Housing Code Programs?
(A8)
Answer 8
The Department will deny a request to cancel a penalty based on an owner not understanding the pertinent programs, including program fees. The reason for this is that most resident rental real estate transactions occur through an escrow process where the owner is responsible for an understanding of the property’s fiscal obligations, e.g. property taxes, RSO and Housing Code fees, etc.
(Q9)
Question 9
Will a penalty be waived if payment was not received because I made an error when imputing account or payment information through LAHD’s online payment system?
(A9)
Answer 9
The Department will deny a request to cancel a penalty based on the owner submitting incorrect information while submitting an online payment through the Billing and Collection’s online payment system. The reason for this is that owners agree to Terms of Use and Terms of Payment that place the responsibility with the owner to enter correct account information. Examples of owner online payment errors include, but are not limited to, owner input of an incorrect account or routing number in an eCommerce transaction or failure to accurately validate credit/debit card information.
(Q10)
Question 10
What if my Home banking or online bill payments that I set up are late through no fault of my own?
(A10)
Answer 10
The Department will deny a request to cancel a penalty related to a home banking or online bill payment that a property owner or representative initiated prior to the delinquency date, which the Department received after the delinquency date. The reason for this is that it is the owner’s responsible to ensure timely payment of all outstanding fees. For additional information, please review the terms and conditions on the Billing and Collection’s customer portal or your banking institute’s customer agreement, disclosures or terms and conditions. Finally, some banks provide a disclosure on their online bill pay websites urging users not to use the service when making federal, state or local payments of any kind.
(Q11)
Question 11
Will an appeal be approved if I never received the Annual Bill/Housing Code Statement because if was returned to LAHD as undeliverable or returned to sender?
(A11)
Answer 11
The Department will deny a request to cancel a penalty related to USPS delivery services. USPS delivery service issues should be referred to the local Post Office for disposition and are excluded from Appeal consideration. The Department will consider requests for Statements returned by USPS on a case-by-case basis. Failure to receive a bill does not provide a basis for excusing penalties for late payment. The bills will still be due on the same date. Annual Bills are provided as a courtesy and as such are mandated to be issued to the last known address identified on the Los Angeles Assessor Office’s Tax Roll or as provided by the owner on the prescribed form.
