News Alert: L.A. County Considers Pet Ordinance & Posts Survey

News Alert

L.A. County Considers Pet Ordinance & Posts Survey

By Janet M. Gagnon

Chief Corporate Affairs Officer & SVP, Government Relations

The Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs is seeking input via an online survey regarding a potential pet ordinance that would require housing providers to accept at least one household pet per unit, eliminate pet weight restrictions, and set a maximum amount for pet rent. While the discussion may start with properties under the existing rent stabilization and tenant protections ordinance (RSTPO), there is the possibility that this pet ordinance will be imposed on ALL multifamily properties throughout Los Angeles County (as was the case with the recent eviction moratorium based on the wildfires).

We urge ALL members with properties in Los Angeles County and especially those with RSTPO units to take this online survey and express your strong opposition to any ordinance requiring owners to accept pets at rental properties.  

TAKE ACTION NOW!

Please follow the link below to complete and submit the survey.  The deadline for all surveys to be submitted is June 21^st at midnight.  

• Click Here to Find Survey Link

REASONS TO OPPOSE AN ORDINANCE MANDATING PET ALLOWANCE

• Many renters have serious health conditions, including asthma and life-threatening allergic reactions to pets and have specifically chosen to live in a property that excludes pets. Pet dander can travel in the same way as secondhand smoke.

• Many renters work from home or attend school remotely from home. Having pets onsite that may cause significant noise throughout the day can put renters’ livelihoods and education in jeopardy.

• Many renters, such as frail elderly and young children, are at an elevated risk of serious physical harm posed by larger pets. We’ve all seen recent media coverage of horrific harm caused by pets with owners unable to exercise proper control over them due to size and strength.

• Not everyone is a responsible pet owner and may not provide proper care for pets while away from home. Keeping a pet confined to a cage for 12+ hours per day while the owner is at work or school and commuting is blatantly cruel and harmful. In addition, such lack of proper attention and exercise makes pets aggressive, destructive and vocal (barking and meowing). Many canine “working breeds” are unsuitable for a rental unit even if uncaged based on their heightened exercise needs.

• Many buildings, particularly those older buildings under the RSTPO, are not properly suited to accommodate pets. There are no outside areas for pets to urinate or defecate on a daily basis. There are no areas for pets to exercise. In addition, common areas including hallways, stairs, and entryways contain carpeting that will absorb urine, feces and pet dander.

• Multifamily housing should not be forced into becoming pet care facilities as it will cause significant harm to renters who chose to live without pets and are suddenly forced to live within extremely close proximity to pet owners, including sharing interior walls and common areas. Also, the increased legal liability that owners will be forced to take on, the potential disruption of residents’ quiet enjoyment of a property and the property damage caused by the housing of pets will greatly discourage rental housing providers from staying in the business of providing housing altogether, particularly the more affordable housing provided by owners of the older RSTPO properties.

SENSIBLE ALTERNATIVES TO AN ORDINANCE

• Create a “good owner/good pet” education and certification program with list of specific “graduates” to encourage more owners to allow more pets.

• Create grants or zero-interest loan program to encourage owners to make renovation needed to make buildings more “pet friendly”, including new vinyl plank flooring, vinyl baseboards, and blinds (instead of curtains).

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.