Los Angeles Housing Department Landlord & Tenant Guidelines for 2010

It's a new year, and we thought it a good time to review recent Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) ordinances that concern Landlords and Tenants.

(1) The annual allowable rent adjustment for units subject to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) is:

• 3% for 7/1/10 - 6/30/11 (updated 5/10/10)
  
• 4% for 7/1/09 - 6/30/10.
  

Because of the decline in rental rates during the past year, few landlords will be able to pass this increase on to tenants. Landlords with units well below-market will be the exception, and this period of "soft" rents will allow them to "catch up" to market value.

(2) The City has adjusted the required amounts for Tenant Relocation in the case of no-fault evictions. The RSO includes two tenant categories, 'Eligible' and 'Qualified'. "Households which include a senior citizen, disabled person, or minor dependent child are qualified tenant households. All other households are eligible."

Relocation amounts due from Landlord:

Eligible -- $7,300 (less than 3 year tenancy) or $9,650 (more than 3 year tenancy or less than 80% of Area Median Income Limit)
Qualified -- $15,500 (less than 3 year tenancy) or $18,300 (more than 3 year tenancy or less than 80% of Area Median Income Limit)

(3) The LAHD has changed the requirements for evictions for owner-occupancy. New provisions allow for grandchildren and grandparents to get relocation assistance. Additional requirements have also been imposed on landlords who evict tenants to owner-occupy. They must move in within 3 months of vacancy and occupy the rental unit for at least 2 years and if they fail to do so must offer to rerent the unit to the previous tenant.

[LAHD]