Update: Make Sure YOUR Building’s Signage Complies: Can’t YOU Read the Sign?

Update: Make Sure YOUR Building’s Signage Complies: Can’t YOU Read the Sign?

By Craig Mordoh, Esq., AAGLA General Counsel

(Editor’s Note: This is an update to an article appearing in the March 2020 and then again in the September 2020 and October 2021 issues of Apartment Age magazine.  It has been updated for the latest requirements.)

“Signs” is a song written by Les Emmerson and popularized by relatively unknown Canadian rock band, Five Man Electrical Band in 1971.  Under Federal, State and some local laws, landlords are required to display certain types of signage.  Be sure you are in compliance with the law!

GET YOUR LEGALLY REQUIRED SIGNS AT AAGLA: You can order these signs through the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles website at https://aagla.org/shop/ or by calling Karen Troung at our office at (213) 384-4131; Ext. 312 (or email: Karen@aagla.org).  Make sure you know your signage and posting requirements so that YOU comply with the law.

In the City of  West Hollywood, landlords that are subject to the West Hollywood rent stabilization ordinance must, at the beginning of each tenancy, provide information to each tenant by giving them a copy of a notice with the following information: (i) that the property is subject to the provisions of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance of the City of West Hollywood; (ii) that a copy of the ordinance and information about the maximum allowable rent that may be charged for each unit may be obtained from the Department of Rent Stabilization and Housing; and (iii) the Department’s telephone number.  The notice must be printed in English, Spanish, and Russian. Notices including the required translations may be obtained from the Department of Rent Stabilization upon request by a landlord.  A landlord may satisfy these requirements including the notice in an addendum to the tenant’s written lease.  While a sign is not required here, it was worth mentioning that a notice must be provided to West Hollywood’s rent stabilized tenants.  This notice is available to members through the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles’ website – See the AAGLA Forms Library.

For the City of Torrance’s no smoking ordinance, rental housing providers or their designees must deliver each rental unit a written notice required by the ordinance and also provide any new tenants with such notice. The written notice must state: (i) Smoking is prohibited in all Units, including any associated exclusive use Enclosed Area or Unenclosed Area, such as a private balcony, porch, deck, or patio; and (ii)  Smoking is prohibited in all Common Areas except within specifically designated Smoking areas, if applicable. This notice is available to members through the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles’ website – See the AAGLA Forms Library.

Please make sure to have the proper signage in place at your rental properties and are providing your tenants with the appropriate notifications.  And always remember to “just tuck your hair up under your hat” and go in to ask for your sign.  Without it, you may run the risk of encountering some “long-haired freaky people” that need not apply.

Craig Mordoh is the General Counsel of the Apartment Association and a sole practitioner specializing in providing legal services to rental property owners.  He can be reached at (310) 453-6774 or mordohlaw@gmail.com.