In a city where most tenants shell out more than 30% of their income on rent alone, the prospect of living somewhere rent-free for an entire month is enticing. But move-in specials offering one month of free rent are often not much of a deal in the long run in Los Angeles.

That’s because the L.A. Housing Department lets landlords base future rent increases on a non-discounted amount. Even if renters have never actually paid the higher rent, landlords can use it as a baseline for subsequent rent hikes .

Christian Corpora found this out the hard way.

When he moved into his apartment in L.A.’s Larchmont neighborhood last summer, he thought he’d scored a great deal. It had off-street parking, air conditioning and an in-unit washer and dryer. He was even offered a move-in special: one mo

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