Santa Monica Update: Rent Relief Program and Eviction Moratorium

In August 2022, the Santa Monica City Council adopted a Temporary Eviction Moratorium which applies to renters residing in rent-controlled units who receive a rent increase of more than 3% above the rent in effect prior to September 1, 2022, during the period of September 1, 2022 through January 31, 2023.  At that time, the Council also established a Rent Control Adjustment Relief Program (RCAR) and allocated $750,000 in City funds to the program, to provide eligible City renters with one-time assistance to cover their 2022 rent increase up to $140 per month through January 2023.  The initial program application period closed on September 19, 2022.

The program has been re-opened and is accepting applications through January 11, 2023 for a limited category of eligible City renter households. In addition to the general eligibility requirements, the program is limited to households in rent-controlled units that received a rent increase notice dated after September 19, 2022 and households in rent-controlled units that due to extenuating circumstances did not submit an application during the first round of the program. All payments will be made directly to the housing provider.

To learn more about the Rent Control Adjustment Relief program, please click on the link:

santamonica.gov - Rent Control Adjustment Relief

In addition to the temporary eviction moratorium, referenced above, the City of Santa Monica maintains a COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium which is currently to remain in effect through February 28, 2023 and prohibits evictions for no-fault reasons, nuisance, with limited exceptions for health and safety reasons, or for unauthorized occupants or pets, and Ellis Act evictions.  It is important to note that the Los Angeles Countywide Eviction Moratorium was also recently extended through January 31, 2023.

To learn more about the eviction moratoriums in effect in Santa Monica, please click on the link:

santamonica.gov - COVID-19 - Eviction Moratorium

Due to the complexity of the eviction moratoriums, we encourage members with properties in the City of Santa Monica to consult with an attorney regarding specific tenancy questions.

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.