Los Angeles landlords received a small “win” during the LA City Council meeting on April 22, 2020, when the Council failed to vote in favor of additional eviction restrictions during the Coronavirus pandemic.
During the Los Angeles City Council meeting on April 22, 2020, there were several items up for debate that would have placed even more restrictions on evictions. These restrictions would have further eroded the ability of a landlord to enforce his or her rights with respect to evictions within the City of Los Angeles.
The ordinances would have:
- Allowed for the freezing of rent increases in non-RSO buildings during the emergency period and for 90 days after the emergency
- Prevented landlords from evicting a tenant for non-payment of rent for any unpaid rent during the emergency period, even after the 12 month repayment period expired
- Allowed landlords and tenants to create a temporary rent reduction agreement, in which monthly or annual rent owed is reduced
- Prohibited a landlord from terminating a tenancy or from serving a notice to terminate a tenancy or to evict a tenant except for public health or safety
The council agreed, however, to prepare an ordinance freezing rent increases for RSO properties that would be retroactive to March 4, 2020, and would be effective until nearly a year after the end of the emergency. On March 30, 2020, LA Mayor Garcetti had already halted rent increases on occupied rental units subject to the LA Rent Stabilization Ordinance. That order can be read here. On April 22, 2020, the Council decided to take it a step further by agreeing to draft an ordinance that would halt rent increases for RSO buildings, which would be retroactive to March 4, 2020, and the freeze would be in effect for nearly a year after the emergency period concludes.
All-in-all, a good outcome for landlords in an already terrible environment, except for the rent freeze covering RSO buildings.
The LA City Council agenda for the April 22, 2020 meeting can be viewed here, and the items relating to evictions and tenant protections are items 37, 38, and 39. An article from the LA Times discussing the April 22, 2020 LA City Council vote on eviction restrictions can be read here.
Additional Coronavirus Los Angeles Eviction Moratorium Resources
The Los Angeles eviction restrictions are changing rapidly during the time of the Coronavirus pandemic. Landlords should stay up-to-date with the laws governing landlord/tenant law and evictions in Los Angeles during these unprecedented times. The following Los Angeles eviction moratorium resources can be used by LA landlords:
- Blog Article: Can You Evict a Tenant in California During COVID-19?
- Blog Article: COVID-19 Landlord and Tenant Forms for California
- Blog Article: COVID-19 and Evictions in California
- Video: California Eviction Moratorium Due to COVID-19
- 15 Minute Consultation: Schedule a 15 Minute Paid Consultation to Discuss Evictions and Answer Landlord Questions
- 30 Minute Consultation: Schedule a 30 Minute Paid Consultation to Discuss Evictions and Answer Landlord Questions, including Document Review
- Los Angeles Eviction Law Firm: Learn More About Us
