The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday voted to adopt an ordinance that would strengthen the city’s anti-harassment protections for tenants and make it easier for tenants to sue landlords who violate the rules.
The Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance, known as TAHO, was originally passed three years ago to protect tenants from intimidation and intimidation by landlords. It was hailed as a significant victory for tenants, but advocates began calling for changes after thousands of complaints were filed but no prosecutions were filed.
The City Council voted 11-0 to adopt the ordinance to update TAHO. The decision came a day after the council voted in favor of repealing a rule that allows landlords to evict tenants if they make major renovations to the building.
The new anti-harassment law would entitle tenants who prevail in court to pay three times the amount of damages, minimum fines and attorney’s fees.
It also redefines harassment as “malicious acts by a landlord” that cause disadvantage or damage to a tenant.
Supporters said the changes would strengthen protections for renters and help create incentives for private attorneys to take harassment cases, arguing they were needed to strengthen enforcement of the rules.
As of this summer, the city’s housing authority said it had received more than 13,000 complaints alleging harassment. No criminal charges were filed.
Landlord advocates opposed the new law at Wednesday’s hearing, saying it was intended to increase litigation.
David Kaisichian of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Apartment Association said, “Small owners will live in fear of false claims of harassment, putting an absolute damper on all communication between owners and renters.” It will happen,” he said.
Dozens of tenants also took to the council chambers Wednesday to urge Congress to approve the law and adopt limits on rent increases. Several people, including Rosalba Vargas, said they experienced harassment from their landlords. Rosalba Vargas said she has faced harassment in her rental unit for years.
“Rent increases are an incentive for owners to evict people who have lived in their properties for years so they can charge more money,” she says. “That’s why they harass us.”
The harassment is “affecting our mental and physical health,” she said through tears.
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