Beverly Hills Moves to End City’s Moratorium on Evictions and Rent Increases on May 31, 2022

At the April 26^th Beverly Hills City Council meeting, the Council voted to adopt an ordinance, on first reading, to end the City’s local eviction moratorium and rent increase freeze on May 31, 2022, allow for a maximum rent increase of up to 3.10% after the moratorium ends for the period of June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 and start the clock for the one-year repayment period for back rent owed which renters will have to pay by May 31, 2023. The 3.10% is reflective of the permissible rent increase that would have been allowed for in 2019-2020.  Based on concerns raised by City Staff to the proposed ordinance provisions regarding the maximum allowable rent increases, the ordinance was further modified as set forth below:

• If a rental housing provider did not issue any rent increase during the time period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020, they may issue a maximum rent increase of 3.10% for the period of June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
• If a rental housing provider issued a rent increase of less than the maximum allowable rent increase of 3.10% during the time period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020, they may issue a maximum rent increase for the period of June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 of up to 3.10% reduced by the rent increase that was previously imposed.

As a procedural matter, the ordinance must be voted on and passed a second time prior to adoption, which we anticipate will occur at the May 10^th City Council meeting.

During the meeting, the Council also continued discussions regarding the City’s establishment of a City funded means tested housing assistance program and the related programmatic parameters. The City Council expressed an interest in having the program assist both income eligible renters with higher than typical rent increases and to assist income eligible “mom and pop” housing providers with back rent owed. The City Council directed staff to return at a later date, in June, with additional data and information and a framework for the program. The Council also established an Ad Hoc Committee, consisting of Vice Mayor Gold and Councilmember Wunderlich, to work with staff on the program details.

This article is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions regarding your property or specific tenancies and the requirements of any local law changes described herein, please consult with an attorney.