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Los Angeles city officials are trying to protect some tenants from eviction after fires ripped through the area and destroyed thousands of homes.
Los Angeles City Council members voted 15-0 Tuesday to direct the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would block evictions for one year for extra residents “necessary” due to fires or for keeping unauthorized pets. .
Councilman Tracy Park, whose district includes the hard-hit Pacific Palisades, proposed the new rules in a motion, stating that “some of the affected people and their pets will now be forced to leave their current rentals. They live with friends or family in a rental property where their contract may not allow for pets or additional people.” ”
Once the City Attorney drafts an ordinance, it will go back to the City Council for final approval.
The rule requires tenants to notify landlords within 30 days of the ordinance’s effective date of any pets or housemates that are not allowed due to the January 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires, among others.
Some officials want to go further, citing some reports that some landlords are raising rents beyond what temporary price gouging protections allow.
City Council members Unis Hernández and Hugo Sotomartínez on Tuesday announced a ban on evictions for non-payment of rent if tenants face financial or medical hardship due to the fire, and “all cases until January 31, 2026.” filed a motion calling for a “temporary moratorium on rent increases for rental housing units.” ”
Both measures are similar to rules put in place during the pandemic and prompted concerns from landlord groups.
Fred Sutton, executive vice president of the California Apartment Association, told City Council members that property owners were ready to help, but that rent freezes and non-payment eviction protections would “only serve those in dire need and dire situations.” “It’s far beyond the reach of some people,” he said, criticizing the policy as irresponsible. ”
Hernandez and Sotomartinez’s proposal was not approved Tuesday and was referred to a committee.
Faiza Malik, an attorney with the pro bono law firm Public Counsel, expressed disappointment that the City Council did not approve the rent freeze and further eviction protections, but hoped the city would do so soon.
He said low-income families who worked in the fire area are now out of work, and relatively wealthy homeowners are left homeless and looking for rental housing.
“These fires have seriously exacerbated the affordable housing and homelessness crisis that exists across the county,” Malik told council members.
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