Editorial News Alert: L.A. County Passes Storm Emergency Declarations
Editorial News Alert:
L.A. County Passes Storm Emergency Declarations
By Janet M. Gagnon
Chief Corporate Affairs Officer & SVP Government Relations
On November 25th, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed two storm emergency declarations authored by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and Chair Kathryn Barger, respectively. The ordinances trigger the existing county ordinance for anti-price gouging restrictions during times of emergency and Barger’s declaration goes into effect immediately.
AAGLA strongly opposed both motions arguing that another emergency declaration will only further destabilize the rental housing market by prohibiting rental housing providers from increasing rents as necessary to address greatly increasing costs. Using a normal winter storm as a reason for an “emergency” only leads further down the slippery slope of using any occurrence whatsoever as a basis to declare an emergency.
Given the frequency of such emergencies and the ever-expanding definition of what constitutes an emergency, it appears that the Supervisors are now seeking to do an end-run around state law that prohibits rent stabilization on newer multifamily properties built within the last 15 years as well as all single-family properties. By frequently declaring these “emergencies”, they are using the anti-price gouging ordinance as a de facto rent stabilization ordinance. AAGLA continues to urge an end to the storm emergency declarations as soon as the County has qualified for the additional funding it is seeking.
Supervisor Horvath’s motion claims that there have been violations of anti-price gouging restrictions during other declared emergencies without any supporting data from the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA). Clearly, obtaining facts before casting aspersions is not important to Supervisor Horvath. The declaration will be in place at least through and including December 28, 2025. Also, it continues the increase from 160% to 200% Fair Market Rent by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to set rents for units that are new to the market or have remained vacant for one year or more.
Chair Barger’s motion basically makes the same emergency declaration (minus the unfounded accusations) with no end date and is effective immediately. It provides specific reasons for the declaration, which are primarily focused on qualifying for federal and state funding to clean up wildfire areas impacted by mudslides due to the storm.
Both emergency declarations automatically trigger the anti-price gouging ordinance. Therefore, no rental housing provider of any kind (multifamily, single-family, condominium, townhouses, or accessory dwelling units) countywide is now allowed to raise rents in existing rental housing for new or existing renters by more than 10% until the emergency is declared as ended by the Board of Supervisors.
This article is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions regarding your property or specific leasing issues and the requirements of any legal changes described herein, please consult with an attorney.