LA landlord sparks renters’ rage after banning common kitchen appliance: ‘It’s a necessity’

A Los Angeles landlord is getting cooked online after advertising a $2,400-a-month Silver Lake apartment with an odd condition for prospective tenants: “NO stove allowed.”

The one-bedroom unit on North Dillon Street was called out on the LARentals subreddit this week, where a Reddit user questioned whether the unusual restriction could run afoul of a new California law requiring landlords to provide working cooking appliances.

“I thought landlords were required to provide a stove and refrigerator per CA law or is that not right,” the poster asked, claiming the Silver Lake property had been listed and removed three times this year, before recently resurfacing.

The listing immediately fired up Angelenos, particularly since the said pad was asking $2,400 per month. The listing touts hardwood flooring, shared laundry, a “good sized” kitchen with art deco tiles and a full refrigerator.

An exterior view of the listing at 863 1/4 N. Dillon Street in Los Angeles. Google Maps

The listing appears to be in violation of California Assembly Bill 628, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2026. Getty Images/iStockphoto

“I can’t believe these people have the nerve to charge $2400/month for an apartment that doesn’t fully function,” one commenter fumed. “No stove isn’t like ‘no dishwasher’ or ‘no washer/dryer in unit.’ It’s not a nice-to-have amenity. It’s a necessity.”

Another simply asked: “Literally what?? how the how are you supposed to cook?”

The listing appears to be in violation of California Assembly Bill 628, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2026, and requires landlords to provide a working stove and refrigerator in residential rental units to meet basic habitability standards. It also added a working refrigerator to the requirements.

There are exceptions for certain types of housing, including permanent supportive housing, single-room occupancy units and housing facilities with communal kitchens.

That made the Silver Lake’s listing apparent ban on a stove especially baffling to Reddit sleuths. “Calling that a kitchen is a bold move,” one commenter quipped. Some suggested that the owner may simply be unaware of the new rule that took effect this year.

Not wanting the unit reported, another argued that a stove-less rental could still work for someone who simply needs a place to sleep or doesn’t cook.

“‘Just a place to sleep’ for $2400? He’s charging luxury prices for a place that isn’t legally considered habitable,” one person fired back.

The firestorm comes as LA’s notoriously brutal rental market has recently offered tenants at least a little breathing room.

Los Angeles-area rents fell to a four-year low late last year while apartment vacancies reached their highest level in nearly five years, according to a January LA Times analysis.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters