Rent Control, renew lease

It depends on what changes you want to make. Some things are prohibited by the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance.

It is possible to change some of the terms of the lease; however, it depends on what terms you are attempting to change. For example, you can generally increase rent by 3% every twelve months. In order to do this, you will need to comply with the notice provisions in the rent stabilization ordinance ("RSO") for the increase to be effective. Also, be careful if you are reducing and/or deleting services (e.g., trash services, water service, gas service) from the lease that you previously providing to the tenant. A reduction in service, without a corresponding reduction in rent, could be construed as a rent increase and would need to comply with the RSO.

It is possible to change the lease but the tenant may not be obligated as usually the initial lease transfers to a month to month tenancy. If you apply changes that the tenant does not agree with he or she may not sign. Also keep in mind you have to stay within the boundaries of the Rent Control laws. I would contact and attorney to help you rewrite a new lease.