It’s hard to believe that it’s been just over three years since the start of a worldwide lockdown due to a global pandemic. It had such a dramatic impact on all of our lives; destroying families, businesses and even friendships, but at the same time it strengthened and solidified so many others. I am sure I am not alone in thinking about the ‘What ifs’?
There was a brief but beautiful period where we got a little glimpse of the entire human population being kind, caring and supportive of each other. I naively believed that feeling of unity would be one of the things to continue on after we came out of this disaster, but I think it’s fair to say that the world is probably more divided than ever. Which makes it quite a confusing time, as a huge percentage of us are looking forward to the future whilst another big chunk of us are still focusing on trying to rebuild our shattered lives. Then there are also several people (like me), who are stuck in the middle. Wanting to move on but also still have a little more repairing to do first…
The City of Los Angeles also feels it’s time for us to pull our socks up and will be making changes to the al fresco program that enabled many restaurants to offer outdoor dining by utilizing the sidewalks. They are also ending the Covid pandemic protections for renters on Friday 31st March. Brits in LA member and local real estate advisor, Frank L’e Sanford referred us to a really informative piece on the impact this will have on both struggling tenants and landlords. He gave us permission to share this with all of you (see below).
If you have any questions or comments or want to subscribe to his newsletter, I am sure he won’t mind you dropping him a message.
If you want to get in touch with us email info@britsin.la
Cheers! Eileen
Hello, hello, hello!
Los Angeles’s Covid pandemic protections for renters ends this Friday 31st March.
There’s been several other big improvements to renters’ rights in the last few months, because we now have a much more progressive Los Angeles City Council. The most comprehensive piece I’ve found was David Wagner’s excellent article in laist.com, some excerpts of which am sharing here.
“Starting April 1, low-income tenants will no longer be able to put off paying rent because of harms brought on by COVID-19.
Reduced household income due to pandemic-related job loss, illness or death will no longer be grounds for deferring rent. If you don’t pay your April rent on time, you could be evicted.
Trinidad Ocampo, directing attorney of Housing and Homeless Prevention Programs at Neighborhood Legal Services of L.A. County, said once the county’s protections end, “There are no more COVID-related hardships to excuse non-payment of rent.”
However, new protections are coming online in some parts of L.A. that could briefly stave off an eviction for certain tenants: L.A. County’s pandemic-era eviction rules do not apply to tenants across the board. To qualify for the protections for non-payment of rent, tenants must have low-incomes and live within L.A. County boundaries. They also need to be able to show they’ve been harmed by economic fallout related to COVID-19.
Specifically, tenants must have a household income that does not exceed 80% of L.A. County’s “Area Median Income.” If your household income exceeds these figures, you do not qualify for the county’s COVID-19 eviction protections for non-payment of rent. These figures, for instance, are $51,000 for a household with one person or $58,320 for a household with two people.
And L.A. County’s pandemic-era eviction rules do not apply to tenants across the board. To qualify for the protections for non-payment of rent, tenants must have low-incomes and live within L.A. County boundaries. They also need to be able to show they’ve been harmed by economic fallout related to COVID-19.”
Being evicted?
“Since time is of the essence, if you’re facing an eviction and want to fight it, reach out for legal help right away. Legal aid providers have partnered with the city and county of L.A. to offer tenant assistance through StayHousedLA.org. Residents of L.A. County can visit that website to read more about their rights, submit a request for legal help, or sign up for tenant workshops.
Depending on your housing situation, there may be limits on why your landlord can evict you. These are known as “just cause” eviction protections, meaning your landlord must have a justified reason for evicting you.
You are protected against evictions without a justified cause if you fall into one of the following categories:
• You live in rent-controlled housing in the city of L.A.
•You live in rent-controlled housing in another city with local rent control, including Santa Monica, Inglewood, Culver City, Pasadena, West Hollywood, Bell Gardens, Beverly Hills and Pomona
• You live in rent-controlled housing in unincorporated L.A. County
Behind on your rent?
This is an issue which is likely to cause the biggest hardships for low income families. Unpaid rent from March 2020 through Sept. 2021 must be paid by Aug. 1, 2023; and unpaid rent from Oct. 2021 through Jan. 2023 must be paid by Feb. 1, 2024. Unpaid rent from Feb. 2023 through March 2023 must be paid a year after it comes due.
For the full article, click HERE
Please see (above) two photos of the two-page City of Los Angeles notice, that must be displayed at every rental property in the City. Just posted it in the hallway of my East Hollywood apartment building. It’s a great summary of the new rules.
If you’re renting and fed up with paying your landlord’s mortgage, let’s have a chat to see if we can get you into your own home; and if you’re a landlord who wants to sell his building, because of these burdensome new rules, let’s talk!
Email: Frank@FrankSold.com
Web: FrankSold.com
