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COVID-19 Renter Protections

PROTECTIONS FOR RENTERS DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS

On March 27, the City Council enacted one of the strongest renter protection ordinances in the U.S., and the Mayor has ensured additional protections for renters in certain circumstances by executive order. These protections apply during the declared emergency period.

If you are a renter in the City of Los Angeles and you have been impacted by the COVID-19 emergency, the following protections apply to you:

  • No renter can be evicted during the emergency period for inability to pay rent for any reason related to the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Renters are not required to provide their landlord with proof of their emergency related to the COVID-19 crisis.  However, you should keep any documentation you may have of loss of income or other impacts in case there is a legal dispute in the future.
  • Those tenants who cannot pay rent will have up to one full year after the emergency period ends to pay the unpaid amount, and no late charges or interest may be imposed.
  • No renter can be evicted during the emergency period for having additional occupants or pets in the residence relating to the crisis, even if they are not authorized by the lease.
  • No renter can be evicted over increased noise or other claims of nuisance that are related to the crisis.
  • All “no fault” evictions are prohibited during the emergency period.
  • All Ellis Act evictions are prohibited until 60 days after the emergency period.
  • No renter in a rent controlled building (that is, a building subject to the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance) may have their rent increased during the declared emergency period.

 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU CANNOT PAY YOUR RENT DUE TO THE EMERGENCY

If you can pay your rent, you should -- the renter protections in Los Angeles do not relieve you of your obligations.  However, if you are unable to pay your rent because of the COVID-19 crisis, you should notify your landlord in writing. You cannot be evicted and you will be allowed additional time to pay.  If you need assistance or more information, you can contact my office at 818-755-7676.

 

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR LANDLORD THREATENS OR ATTEMPTS TO EVICT YOU

  1. Stay Calm. Courts throughout California have temporarily ceased processing evictions during the COVID-19 emergency, so no eviction action against you can be enforced until the emergency has lifted. If your landlord or anyone acting on their behalf tries to lock you out or remove you from your unit, call 911 and request the police.
  2. Get informed. Review the Housing and Community Investment Department COVID-19 resources at https://hcidla.lacity.org/covid-19-renter-protections.
  3. Take action. Contact the Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department at 1-866-557-7368 or go to https://hcidla.lacity.org/File-a-RSO-Complaint.
  4. Contact my office at 818-755-7676 and we will assist you or refer you to someone who can.