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The Los Angeles City Council decided not to extend the city’s moratorium on evictions, but announced three key protections for renters, which will take effect after they are determined by local authorities next week.
The three protections that were approved by the councilors are: financial aid for tenants who cannot afford rent increases, just cause for evictions for tenants, and minimum eviction amount in the city of Los Angeles.
The economic aid applies in cases when the owner wants to increase the rent by more than 10%, the owner must cover relocation expenses or the equivalent of three months’ rent plus $1,400 for moving expenses.
Regarding the just cause of eviction for tenants, the councilors defined that the owner of the property You will need to present just cause to evict, including breaches of lease, property damage, and non-payment beginning March 2023, among other causes.
Regarding the minimum eviction amount, previously in the city you could file for an eviction for any amount of rent owed, and now a minimum amount of debt will be applied that will depend on the size and conditions of the rented home.
Eviction protections for renters ended in the city of Los Angeles on Tuesday, January 31.
Tenants who were protected by the moratorium will have time to pay their unpaid rent. Nevertheless, as of February 1, 2023, they must cover the amount of rent for this month, and so on in the following months.
Certain legal rights and protections exist for tenants regardless of their immigration status.. In addition to covering rent payments for each month beginning in February 2023, they will have time to pay off rent payments due from prior years.
Other protections that can help tenants is, for example, if the house is in poor condition, it may be a defense to an eviction for rent. Tenants are encouraged to seek advice and help, if available.
Under the Tenant Protection Act of 2019, AB 1482, landlords in California are allowed annual rent increases of 5% plus the percentage change in the cost of living (Consumer Price Index) per year, up to 10%.
However, on August 22, 2022, the Los Angeles City Council voted in favor of an ordinance rent stabilization that would limit annual rent increases to 50% of the local Consumer Price Index, capping the increase at 4%even if the inflation rate is higher, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Tenants can receive legal advice by contacting the State Bar of California, or by following this link.
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