Editorial News Alert: Los Angeles County Passes COUNTYWIDE Eviction Moratorium
Editorial News Alert
Los Angeles County Passes COUNTYWIDE Eviction Moratorium
By Janet M. Gagnon, Esq.
Chief Corporate Affairs Officer & SVP, Government Affairs
On February 25th, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 4-to-0 (with Chair Kathryn Barger abstaining) to pass a countywide eviction moratorium (a/k/a, eviction defense) covering all rental housing providers (including single-family properties, condominiums, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) and multifamily properties regardless of when they were built) for renters making one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of Area Median Income (AMI) and claiming at least 10% financial impact based on average monthly household income. The resolution goes into effect immediately and the eviction moratorium will last 6 months (February 1, 2025, through July 31, 2025) with an additional 12 months being allowed for renters to repay any unpaid, delayed rent.
AAGLA zealously advocated on behalf of rental housing providers since the issue was originally agendized as a motion by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath for the Board of Supervisors meeting on February 18th. We strongly fought for reduction of the total length of time for the moratorium as well as advocating for verifiable proof from renters showing direct financial impact due to the wildfires among other changes. At the February 18th meeting, Supervisor Holly Mitchell proposed an amendment that was adopted shortening the eviction moratorium from 12 months to 6 months.
At the meeting yesterday, Supervisor Holly Mitchell introduced another amendment that would require verifiable proof of financial impact by renters claiming the eviction defense in the form of a completed application for rental assistance, an application for unemployment benefits or log of searching for new work. The draft resolution already required that renters take such actions, so providing a copy of these documents would have been a very modest attempt to discourage fraudulent use of this new eviction moratorium. Chair Kathryn Barger supported Mitchell’s amendment. However, Supervisor Holly Mitchell’s amendment failed due to Supervisor Janice Hahn providing the needed third vote for Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and Supervisor Hilda Solis to defeat it. This is not the first time that Supervisor Janice Hahn (a/k/a, the “Supervisor Pancake”) has “flipped” on an issue of importance to housing providers such as this verifiable proof requirement and voted against rental housing providers. It seems to be an ongoing voting pattern despite her oral comments made in support of rental housing providers. Chair Kathryn Barger questioned the County’s exposure to liability due to rental housing providers not receiving owed rent due to the moratorium and ultimately abstained from the entire resolution.
We encourage all rental housing providers to review the resolution for specifics on notice requirements for renters claiming to be impacted by the wildfires. In addition, the resolution provides the ability for rental housing providers to challenge the eviction defense in court if fraud is suspected. If you believe fraud is occurring, we also encourage you to notify all 5 Supervisors via email with a copy to AAGLA at advocacy@aagla.org.
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.
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