There is finally some hope for landlords and property owners. Both the City of Los Angeles (City Council) and the County of Los Angeles (Board of Supervisors) have recently discussed a phase out and gradual end to the eviction moratorium in both LA city and LA county. However, both the city and county are also discussing imposing additional permanent tenant protections that would hinder the ability of property owners to evict tenants in the future.
LA County Eviction Moratorium Updates (October 2022)
The LA County Board of Supervisors decided in September 2022 to launch an outreach campaign to prepare both landlords and tenants for the end of the LA county eviction moratorium. Read the motion here. The September 2022 motion, which passed by a vote of 3-2, aims to establish a communication strategy to notify landlords and tenants about the formal conclusion of the tenant eviction moratorium.
The LA county eviction moratorium applies in the unincorporated parts of LA county as well as incorporated cities that do not have their own eviction moratorium. Most parts of the eviction moratorium, under Phase II, are set to expire at the end of the year.
Landlords, don’t get too excited yet. Anything can happen between now and the end of the year. To be clear, some members on the Board of Supervisors are hoping and seeking additional tenant protections that could become permanent. For insight into this, as well as the leanings of the Board of Supervisors, you can read the transcript of the meeting here, beginning on line 7 of page 143 (page numbers are on the bottom right of each page).
LA City Eviction Moratorium Updates (October 2022)
On October 4, 2022, the LA city council voted to wind down the eviction moratorium that has been in place since March 2020, making it one of the longest COVID tenant protections in the country.
Non-payment of rent cases will be allowed to resume in February 2023. It is important to note that this will apply to tenants who do not pay their rent from February 2023 and beyond. Tenants who owe rent prior to February 2023 will get extra time to pay back that rent and landlords will not be allowed to evict tenants for that rent until a later date. The bottom line is, if a tenant fails to pay the rent in February 2023, landlords will be able to use that non-payment as a reason to evict, but landlords may not be able to include on a 3 day notice to pay rent or quit rent that became due prior to February 2023.
No-fault evictions may finally be allowed beginning in February 2023, subject to RSO rules and any new rules that the city council implements.
Rent increases for RSO buildings will be allowed beginning in February 2024. (Rent increases in non-RSO buildings are already allowed, subject to other laws.) Tenants will also be able to be evicted for unauthorized occupants and unauthorized pets in February 2024, and only after the landlord has provided a 30 day notice for the tenant to remedy the situation (this goes beyond California law, which requires a 3 day notice for such cases). Yes, you read the year correctly: 2024.
Landlords, beware: the city council is also discussing adding tenant protections that would apply to properties that have historically been exempt from LARSO. Among other things, these proposed new tenant protections could impose strict roadblocks to no-fault evictions.
Video Discussing the October 2022 LA Eviction Moratorium Updates
Additional Information
- Landlords: Schedule a paid telephone informational session to discuss your California residential eviction matter.
- Read about our eviction law practice.
- LA County Eviction Moratorium
- LA City Eviction Moratorium
Disclaimer
The information in this article and blog are not meant to be legal advice and is intended for educational purposes only. The laws change frequently and this article may not be updated to reflect current rules. Do not rely on this article when making legal decisions. Consult with legal counsel regarding your particular case before taking any action.
