The Bald Brothers Team received this update from RELAW, APC,(699 Hampshire Road, Suite 215, Westlake Village, CA 91361 (805) 265-1031) and we wanted to pass this important information on to our readers:
After nearly three years, all COVID-19 era eviction moratoriums are set to change in 2023. Earlier this month, the Los Angeles City Council voted to end its COVID-19 eviction moratorium effective February 1, 2023, and Governor Newsom announced on October 17th that California’s COVID-19 state of emergency will lapse February 28, 2023.
Starting on February 1, 2023, landlords in Los Angeles will be allowed to evict tenants for nonpayment of rent. In February of 2024, landlords in Los Angeles will be able to evict tenants for unauthorized pets and/or residents and in rent-controlled apartments, rent increases will also be allowed to resume.
The City’s eviction protections have not waived past due rent, but under the plan approved by the City Council, tenants will have until at least August 2023 to repay rent debt that was accrued during the moratorium.
The lifting of California’s COVID-19 emergency declaration ends the implementation of Penal Code Section 396. Under the Penal Code, it was illegal to increase the price of rental housing by more than 10% above pre-emergency levels. These protections applied to existing tenants as well as rent increases when units turned over.
The lifting of the state’s COVID-19 emergency declaration does not necessarily make it permissible to increase rents by more than 10% in 2023. Counties and cities often have their own emergency declarations, which also trigger the implementation of the above-stated Penal Code. Check with your county or city to determine if an emergency declaration is in effect.
Local rent control ordinances as well as AB 1482 – a statewide rent cap bill – also limit rent increases on certain housing.
*The Bald Brothers Team does not give legal advice. If you have questions, we encourage you to contact an attorney.*
