Beware: Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) Letter to Tenants Causing Major Confusion

A letter sent to Los Angeles City renters living in rent stabilized ordinance (RSO) units is causing a great deal of confusion and headaches for both rental property owners and LAHD.

The letter, which asks renters to confirm their monthly rent amount does not inform renters that the rental amounts listed in the letter do not include City fees, surcharges, pass-throughs, etc. Other cities like Santa Monica, avoid this confusion by clearly informing tenants that these other fees and charges are being excluded.

As a result, many property owners and managers have reported they are being inundated with telephone calls and emails making accusations claiming they are being overcharged (which, of course, is not the case). Owners and managers have also reported that the issue is taking up valuable staff time fielding calls and emails. The entire situation is causing unnecessary friction between and needless issues between property owners and managers and their renters.