Senior Living Apartments in Los Angeles, CA

To pay for rent in senior apartments, seniors can combine their personal financial resources or explore the use of incomes such as veterans benefits and housing assistance. Seniors who need in-home care services can also find helpful Medi-Cal resources.

Understanding the laws surrounding senior apartments in Los Angeles can help you make a confident choice as a renter. This section outlines important points for prospective senior apartment tenants, including your rights and apartment quality. You can also check out the California Tenants Guide from the California State Department of Real Estate (DRE), a complete guide to all of the laws associated with renting in California.

Renters and their rights

Landlords and senior apartment renters in Los Angeles must follow several local and federal laws. First, at least one person living in the senior apartment must be at least 55 years old. In addition, senior apartment renters have the right to regular maintenance, fully functioning utilities, and other on-site services.

When renting a senior apartment, you also have the right to a minimum of 30 days’ notice before your landlord increases the cost of rent. In California, landlords can increase your rent up to twice a year. However, the state’s rent cap law prevents landlords from increasing senior apartment rent beyond a certain amount. Note that low-income housing, corporate-owned housing, and others may be exempt from California’s rent cap law.

Apartment quality and inspections

Senior apartments in Los Angeles with at least five units must be routinely inspected by the District Surveillance and Enforcement Branch of the county’s Environmental Health Division. Cities exempt from this policy include Glendale and Torrance. In addition, apartments that participate in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program are subject to inspections at least once every two years.

Accommodations and modifications for seniors with disabilities

Seniors with disabilities have additional rights when renting senior apartments. These protections under the law include but are not limited to the following rights:

• In California, it’s illegal for a landlord to refuse to rent to someone due to a disability.
• Apartments must follow building requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (or ADA), which has standards in place to make spaces accessible to people with different abilities.
• Landlords must agree to reasonable apartment accommodations and modifications, which will be paid for by the senior who’s renting the apartment.

Included as a reasonable apartment accommodation is the ability for tenants to have a service animal. Service animals are trained to help people in different ways, including physical and emotional support. The following information may help seniors who plan to live with a service animal in their senior apartment:

• Seniors can have service animals even if the apartment has a no-pet policy.
• The landlord can only ask if the animal is needed due to the senior’s disability and what the animal has been trained to do.
• Service animals don’t need to be certified to live in an apartment.
• The animal must not be a threat to the rental property or other residents.

COVID-19 regulations for Los Angeles senior apartment communities

COVID-19 remains a significant factor for Los Angeles residents, and preventing the spread of the virus is a priority of the county. Read Los Angeles County Public Health’s current COVID-19 guidelines for frequently updated information.

As one of the most heavily populated cities in the U.S., Los Angeles caters to a wide range of seniors. Los Angeles has many unique neighborhoods, a wide scope of senior apartments to rent, and proximity to many activities and popular attractions. You’ll find desirable downtown senior apartments in the heart of the city in addition to choices in quieter suburban neighborhoods. From high-end apartment complexes with luxe amenities to affordable apartments designed for seniors of low-income status, seniors have plenty of options in this expansive city.

Unique Los Angeles communities

The ability to choose your ideal neighborhood sets Los Angeles apart. From the center of downtown Los Angeles to pockets of surrounding suburbs, each neighborhood has its own unique atmosphere. This variety enables seniors to choose between quiet residential neighborhoods, vibrant arts communities, cultural hubs in the heart of downtown, and much more. There’s also a wide variety of apartment options, such as studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts — depending on the location and building design.

Downtown senior apartments

Seniors who want to take advantage of all that the city has to offer will appreciate renting senior apartments in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Home to museums, history, and an abundance of shops and restaurants, this part of town offers something exciting every day of the week. Downtown Los Angeles is home to the arts district as well as culturally rich neighborhoods, including Chinatown and Little Tokyo. These urban hubs of culture offer memorable dining, unique shops, and plenty to discover. Renting a senior apartment in one of the city’s arts communities is another desirable option. Senior communities in these neighborhoods tend to offer arts programming, art studios, performing arts theaters, and acting classes.

Suburban and urban blends

Burbank, Glendale, and Silver Lake are wonderful neighborhoods for senior renters seeking a mix of urban and suburban living. Here, you’ll have access to some of the desirable attractions that come with living in Los Angeles, without having to live amidst the bustle of downtown. These northern Los Angeles neighborhoods offer parks, local art scenes, live music venues, and historic attractions. Glassell Park is another northern neighborhood with affordable options and spacious public parks.

Budget-friendly apartments

Los Angeles has senior apartment offerings that enable seniors to rent at a budget-friendly rate. Southern neighborhoods, such as Boyle Heights and Huntington Park, offer senior apartments designed with seniors of low-income status in mind. These southern suburbs are located outside of the busy downtown area and feature a variety of eateries, coffee shops, and public parks. In these areas, seniors can take advantage of living in proximity to the big city without the big price tag.

High-end neighborhoods

To the east, Beverly Hills and Hollywood offer luxe, highly sought-after senior apartments. As some of the most expensive areas in Los Angeles County, these neighborhoods offer gorgeous spaces and high-end senior apartments. Home to the stars of Hollywood, rows of elite shops, and gourmet restaurants, this part of the city is ideal for seniors looking for a luxurious retirement. Some senior apartments in these areas offer high-rise apartments, garden cottages, and townhomes. You’ll find electric vehicle charging stations, junior Olympic saltwater pools, granite countertops, and more opulent amenities in these high-end senior apartments.

Delightful amenities

Senior apartments throughout Los Angeles offer many enjoyable amenities. Many of them have on-site fitness centers, enabling seniors to stay in shape without leaving the comforts of their new homes. On-site or in-unit laundry rooms are also found in many of the city’s senior apartments. Some of the high-end options have additional amenities, such as year-round heated pools and spacious dog parks for residents’ beloved pets.

Other common features of Los Angeles senior apartments are recreation rooms and clubhouses. Seniors can plan social events or even cook a delicious meal with their new neighbors. Renters who want to maximize their social lives can also choose a senior apartment community that has activity programming. Monthly social events both in and outside of the communities can add to an enriching retirement.

Health care for seniors in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is home to several nationally ranked hospitals and medical centers. Each of these options have specific programs for seniors or are nationally ranked in geriatrics care.

Transportation for seniors in Los Angeles

Los Angeles residents have an abundance of options to travel throughout the city, whether by bus, rental bikes, or senior-specific transportation services. Several areas within Los Angeles are even walkable, such as Hollywood and Chinatown. One of the city’s major public transportation hubs, the Los Angeles Metro offers bus routes, several rail lines, bike rentals, and more — all with discounted fares for seniors. Another popular hub is Union Station Los Angeles, featuring connections to Metro buses, taxis, and more.

Browse the following transportation options for Los Angeles residents:

• There are over 165 Metro bus routes available.
• Seven rail lines are available, each with a connection to one of the bus stops.
• Metro bikes are available to rent in intervals ranging from one ride to one year.
• The Metro micro is Los Angeles’ on-demand rideshare option, serving many of the city’s subdivisions as well.
• Seniors can join or start a vanpool.
• Seniors with disabilities may be eligible for Access, the Metro’s paratransit service.
• Union Station West has a designated taxi pick-up and drop-off location.
• Union Station also has Greyhound bus stops.
• The Dodger Stadium Express is a bus available at Union Station for passengers attending home games.
• The LAX Flyway is Union Station’s bus that connects to the Los Angeles International Airport.

Los Angeles also has senior-specific transportation options:

• CityRide is designed for seniors over the age of 65 and people with disabilities. They offer discounted rates and curbside service.
• Transport Seniors LA offers wheelchair-accessible transportation for seniors who need to travel to and from medical appointments, errands, and more.

The three numbers below, ranging from zero to 100, represent Los Angeles’ transportation options. WalkScore awards points to each mode of transportation based on how far away different destinations are from public transit routes, bike paths, and intersections. The higher the number, the more accessible the method of transportation is.