LA’s remaining pandemic tenant protections end February 1, which means rent is going up. City Council recently passed pretty lackluster replacement protections, including caps on rent hikes. But landlords will still try to charge more than what’s legally allowed. Mine did — and got shut down — and renters across the city have been filing illegal rent hike complaints in record numbers.
What can landlords charge?
First, your landlord is legally required to provide 30-day written notice before increasing your rent. If you received a notice after January 2, you do not have to pay the increased amount in February (assuming you pay rent on the first of the month).
If you live in a rent-stabilized unit and you pay utilities: maximum 4% increase
If you live in a rent-stabilized unit but your landlord pays the utilities: maximum 6% increase (that breaks down to a 4% increase + 1% for gas + 1% for electric)
If you live in a non-rent-stabilized unit built before 2009: maximum 10% increase
If you live in a non-rent-stabilized unit built after 2009: no limit, but your landlord has to pay for relocation assistance if you can’t afford an increase over 10%
If math is not your friend, use this Rent Calculator. You can report illegal rent increases and other issues with your landlord here.
How do I know if I live in a rent-stabilized unit?
Visit the Zimas page, enter your address, and check your Rent Stabilization (RSO) status under the Housing tab.
Eviction Info
According to the LA Controller, 71,429 eviction notices were filed in the City of Los Angeles between February and November 2023. The end of pandemic protections also means back rent will be due on February 1, and LA’s eviction crisis will only get worse. The situation is already so dire that even the LA Housing Department was evicted from its office. If you receive an eviction notice:
Stay in your home. Do NOT self evict!
Contact Stay Housed LA immediately and use their eviction defense guide.
Call the LA Housing Department Hotline at 866-557-7368
You cannot be evicted for pets that began living in your unit before Jan 31, 2023. And you cannot be evicted if you’ve been approved for rental assistance but are still awaiting those funds.
Resources:
The Hits:
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