Someone Please Help Save Us! We Are Being Treated Like The Indians

After three years of being impacted by the COVID pandemic, LA City announces a new ordinance that will be in place until February 1, 2024. The ordinance has many provisions, including new notice requirements and changes in the dates they take effect. LA County’s moratorium extension will govern units not governed by the city’s restrictions.

So, be prepared for more restrictions. Landlords still can’t do anything about unauthorized occupants or pets until February 1, 2024. What about the additional wear and tear and potential damages that this is causing?

Starting February 1, 2023, landlords must allow entry with proper notice. Owners should be cautious of harassment claims.

The city is offering funds to landlords owning less than 10 residential units, with a maximum of $30,000, or $833 per month for the last three years. However, it may not cover mortgage payments.

Adding to the bureaucracy, tenants now need to be delinquent in market rent before a landlord can start an eviction based on non-payment of rent. The market rent amounts are determined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and change annually.

The new law has different implications for landlords, depending on the rent amount. If the unit is under market rent, the landlord has to wait until the tenant is behind on the HUD market rent amount before starting an eviction. This will force landlords to increase rents, even though they can’t under the current rent control restrictions. They are now forced to be a bank with no interest or fees allowed.

On the other hand, tenants now know that they have a forced savings account, and they can take advantage of this. For example, if a tenant has a 2-bedroom unit, they know they can’t be evicted until they owe more than $2,222. They may use this time to go on a cruise or have a great Christmas for their kids.

It’s important to consider the implications of the new law for both landlords and tenants. The little guy, the small mom and pop landlords, have been forced to become a bank with a forced savings account for their clients (tenants) to utilize at their whim. This raises questions about the fairness of the situation.