Tenants & Landlords: Temporary Eviction Moratorium & Rent Freeze Have Been Extended to July
Tenants & Landlords: Temporary Eviction Moratorium & Rent Freeze Have Been Extended to July
Earlier this week, LA County issued an executive order which extends an existing temporary moratorium on evictions in parts of LA County, in response to the COVID-19 health emergency.
The eviction moratorium will remain in place until July 31, 2020. The temporary eviction moratorium covers:
- all residential & commercial tenants in LA County, except those who live or conduct business in cities with their own eviction moratoria; and
- it includes a ban on evictions for nonpayment of rent, if the tenant can show they have been financially impacted by the health emergency, among other protections.
The order also extends the temporary rent freeze in the unincorporated areas of LA County. This means property owners may not increase rent for rental units or spaces covered by LA County’s Rent Stabilization and Mobile Home Rent Stabilization ordinances.
These actions are retroactive to March 4, 2020.
Tenant & Landlord Resources are available through LA County’s Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA). DCBA has developed guidelines, in the interest of both property owners & tenants, to: 1) help understand the temporary Eviction Moratorium and 2) take proactive steps now.
The Guidelines, available at dcba.lacounty.gov/noevictions, include the following topics that owners should consider as they plan for the months ahead:
- Applicability for residential & commercial tenants
- How to determine reasonable financial impacts
- Notice requirements & documentation
- Guidance for repayment of rent once the moratorium is lifted
- Resolving disputes between landlords & tenants
DCBA also provides expanded foreclosure prevention assistance for landlords with 15 or fewer units.
If you are a renter or property owner facing financial difficulty, contact a DCBA Rent Stabilization counselor to learn about available resources: call (833) 223-RENT (7368), e-mail rent@dcba.lacounty.gov, or visit them online at rent.lacounty.gov.
For more information, feel free to contact Dawn with any questions: dcoulson@eppscoulson.com.
Epps & Coulson, LLP
Attorneys Admitted practice in
California, New York, Colorado, Texas, Oregon, and Hawaii
Information contained in this Memo is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion, nor is it a substitute for the professional judgment of an attorney. While intended as information and educational, it is considered advertising under applicable various laws of some states, and as such, EC encourages you to call us to discuss these matters as they apply to you or your business.