LAHD Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Systematic Code Enforcement Program

By now (January 14, 2015), all landlords who own property in City of Los Angeles should have received their annual bill from the Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department. The fees for all rent control units in Los Angeles are $67.83 per unit. Payments are due February 28, 2015. They must be received by […]
New Courthouses to Hear Unlawful Detainer Cases

Los Angeles County has two additional courthouses that will start hearing unlawful detainer cases starting in 2015. Unlawful detainers can be filed in the Van Nuys Courthouse and Norwalk Courthouse starting January 5, 2015. If your case was filed in one of the hub locations prior to January 5, 2015, that courthouse will still hear […]
Is a new condo conversion unit still regulated by the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance?

In an interesting but limited decision, the California Court of Appeals was required to review whether an apartment building that was converted to condominiums in 2009 but still left the existing tenants in the units still fell within the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance (“LARSO”). The Court found that even if a new certificate of […]
Los Angeles Considering Expedited Process to Legalize “Illegal Apartments”

A huge issue facing landlords within the City of Los Angeles is renting units that may not have a certificate of occupancy. Often these units are garage conversions, converted apartments, or makeshit homes. Under the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance, a landlord can only rent a unit that is lawfully registered with the City. This […]
Legal Reasons to Increase the Rent in Los Angeles

In units subject to the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance, there are only a handful reasons that a landlord is allowed to increase the rent. Starting July 1, 2014, a landlord is allowed to increase the rent 3%. A landlord is only allowed to increase the rent 3% if the landlord has not raised the […]
Los Angeles Landlords Allowed to Pass on SCEP Costs to Tenants in June

Los Angeles landlords are allowed to pass on 1/2 of the registration fees under the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance in June 2014. In 2014, the total cost allowed to be passed on to tenants is $12.25. This one time fee can be paid anytime in June 2014; however, a landlord is required to serve […]
Renting Residential Units in a Commercial Space
A recent news article highlighted what could happen when a landlord rents a unit for residential use in a commercial structure. A landlord in South Los Angeles was required to pay $141,000 to nearly a dozen tenants who were living in an old medical center. The landlord was renting examination rooms as living units, some […]
Consequence of Not Serving Rental Registration Certificate to Tenants in Los Angeles
A recent case highlighted an often overlooked requirement under the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance (Los Angeles’ rent control). Under the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance, a landlord is required to serve every tenant a copy of the landlord’s rent registration statement or renewal statement from the Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department. However, […]
Resident Managers and Rent Increases under Los Angeles Rent Stabilization
A recent California decision highlighted the issues that emerge when a landlord releases a resident manager from employment but the resident manager continues to the live on the property. In particular, how the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance provides guidance on this situation is important for Los Angeles landlords subject to rent control to understand. […]
Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance and Ellis Act Evictions
The Los Angeles Times reported a growing trend as the real estate market heats up and construction increases, evictions under California’s Ellis Act. Evictions from rent-controlled units on the rise in L.A provides a glimpse into non-fault evictions where a tenant is simply evicted because the landlord desires to remove the rental unit from the rental market. […]