New Rental Laws in Los Angeles | What you need to know

New Rental Laws in Los Angeles:

Our team at Coastline Equity has important updates for you regarding new rental property laws in the City of Los Angeles. The city has introduced additional regulations for all rental properties, including single-family residences, and it's vital for property owners and managers to be aware of these changes. Let's dive into what you need to know.

New Notice Requirements for Tenants

Starting with tenancies that commence or are renewed on or after January 27, 2023, landlords are required to provide a notice outlining the summary of protections. The City has prepared a Notice that complies with this new law (Ordinance No. 187737), which must also be displayed in an accessible common area of the property.

Updated Tenant Protections

Here's a quick rundown of the new tenant protections:

1. Non-Payment of Rent: Tenants must pay their full rent beginning February 1, 2023. However, low-income renters who are unable to pay due to COVID-19 financial impact will have protections through March 31, 2023. To qualify, tenants must notify their landlord within 7 days of rent being due and provide proof of income level. Eligible tenants will have until March 31, 2024, to repay the outstanding rent for February and March 2023.
2. At-Fault Evictions: Renters in the City of Los Angeles are protected from eviction without just cause, such as non-payment of rent, lease violations, causing a nuisance, using the unit illegally, failing to renew a similar lease, denying access, or being an unapproved subtenant. These protections apply to non-rent stabilized units beginning 6 months after the lease is entered or the end of the lease term, whichever comes first.
3. No-Fault Evictions: Landlords can carry out no-fault evictions for reasons like owner or approved family member occupancy, compliance with a governmental order, demolition, permanent removal from the rental market, or converting the property to affordable housing. In these cases, landlords must submit a Declaration of Intent to Evict to the LAHD (City of Los Angeles Housing Department) and pay relocation fees.

Relocation Fees and Termination Notices

Relocation assistance is mandatory for all no-fault evictions. For single-family dwellings, the relocation fee is equal to one month's rent, but only if the owner is a natural person and owns 4 or fewer residential units in Los Angeles. The relocation fees range from $9,200 to $22,950, and landlords can deduct unpaid COVID rental debt from the relocation amount due.

Lastly, be aware that all notices to terminate must be sent to the city within three business days of service on the tenant.

Navigating the Eviction Process

Navigating the eviction process and complying with tenant protections can be complex. We highly recommend working with a qualified real estate attorney to ensure that your lease agreements are legally sound and that you are following all renter protections and landlord obligations in your jurisdiction.

As your trusted property management firm, Coastline Equity is here to help you stay informed and navigate these new regulations. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to our team!