Tenant Protections

The City of Los Angeles COVID-19 eviction protections for non-payment of rent have expired. Beginning April 1, 2023, renters must pay their full current monthly rent to avoid eviction for non-payment of rent. Note - the L.A. City Attorney's Office cannot provide legal advice to members of the public. Download the Tenant Protections Brochure.

Navigating an Eviction

• Unlawful Detainer
  If you get a 3, 30, 60, 90-day notice, or any other notice to terminate, then your landlord can file a lawsuit with the court called an "unlawful detainer" that can lead to your eviction. This is a court complaint your landlord has filed to have you evicted. You should immediately get a lawyer or contact a legal aid organization to help you file your answer with the court. Once you file your answer, you will be given a trial date. At the trial, you can explain your case and if you win, you won't be evicted. If you don’t file an answer within five days, you can’t appear in court. A default judgment will be entered against you. Once the default is entered, you can be evicted. File a response with the court no matter what - even if you think your landlord has no right to evict you.

• Non-Payment of Rent Eviction:
  Effective Mar. 27, 2023, landlords may not evict a tenant who falls behind in rent unless the tenant owes an amount higher than the Fair Market Rent (FMR), as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. For 2023, the FMRs are:

• Ellis Act Eviction
  Tenants who received a notice to terminate their tenancy based on an Ellis Act eviction prior to Mar. 4, 2020 will receive an additional 60 days and cannot be evicted until Apr. 1, 2023.
   
• Illegal Lockout
  It is illegal for a landlord to lock you out, remove doors or windows, change locks, cut off utility services, or use other forms of harassment to make you move out. You can file a complaint with LAPD if your landlord locks you out or cuts off your utilities. You can sue your landlord for lockout damages in small claims court and file a harassment complaint against your landlord with the L.A. City Housing Department online or by calling 866-557-7368.

Additional Legal Considerations

The following provisions apply to all residential units in the City of Los Angeles; however, tenant protections have been enacted that are in effect now.

• COVID-19 Rental Debt
  Tenants must pay full monthly rent to avoid eviction beginning February 1, 2023.
  For rent owed: Mar. 1, 2020 - Sept. 30, 2021, tenants must pay by August 1, 2023.
  For rent owed: Oct. 1, 2021 - Jan. 31, 2023, tenants must pay by February 1, 2024.
  It is recommended that tenants who owe past due rent meet with their landlords to arrange a repayment plan to meet the protection deadlines.

• Unauthorized Tenants and Pets
  Eviction protections for unauthorized (additional) tenants and pets will continue through Jan. 31, 2024.

• Rent Increases
  Rent Increases are prohibited for rental units subject to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) from March 30, 2020 through January 31, 2024.

Overview of the Just Cause Ordinance for Tenant Protections (effective Jan. 27, 2023)

• Tenants are protected at the end of their first lease or 6 months after lawful occupancy.
• Landlords must have a legal reason to evict a tenant.
• All landlords must provide a Renters Protection Notice to tenants who begin or renew their tenancy on or after Jan. 27, 2023
• Tenant no-fault evictions require the payment of relocation assistance.
• Rental properties not subject to the City's Rent Stabilization Ordinance that receive a rent increase greater than 10%, within 12 months, have the option to receive relocation assistance. The relocation amount is based on the bedroom size of the rental unit.

Additional Resources and Legal Aid Organizations

• Los Angeles Housing Department
  866-557-7368
• Stay Housed L.A.
  888-694-0040

Download the Tenant Protections Brochure

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