News: Los Angeles

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The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday approved an urgency ordinance intended to prevent no-cause evictions until AB 1482 takes effect, a move that several other California jurisdictions are also considering.   The Los Angeles ordinance is intended as a stopgap until the Jan. 1 implementation of AB 1482, the newly signed statewide rent control and “just cause” eviction law. Mayor Eric Garcetti signed the temporary legislation Tuesday afternoon. 

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The city of Los Angeles is considering an “anti-displacement” proposal that would cap rent increases near new luxury and market-rate apartment developments when those projects lack affordable housing.  The proposal, introduced last month by City Councilman Herb J. Wesson Jr., would cap rents through “anti-displacement zones.”   These areas would exist for three years and cover a two-mile radius around luxury and market-rate developments with zero affordable units.  

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In response to the wildfires raging in Southern California, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday declared states of emergency for Los Angeles and Riverside counties, a move that prohibits rent increases over 10%. The limit on rent increases is part of the state’s anti-price gouging law. When activated, Penal Code Section 396 makes it illegal to increase the price of many consumer goods and services, including that of rental housing, by more than 10% above pre-emergency levels. The rent-gouging protections apply to all housing types in the affected areas. Local rent control laws in several jurisdictions in L.A. County also remain… Read More

Tagged: Greater Inland EmpireLos Angeles

The city of Los Angeles is continuing its research into a possible tax on landlords who leave apartments vacant. Late last month, the City Council ordered city staff to gauge the number of unoccupied apartments in the city and the reasons they’re sitting empty. City staff also are examining how vacancy taxes, empty-home penalties and speculator taxes are carried out in other jurisdictions.

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Over the objections of CAA, Los Angeles County supervisors Tuesday voted unanimously to draft a permanent rent control ordinance for the county’s unincorporated areas. The ordinance is expected to limit annual rent increases based on the rate of inflation, which is now about 3%. Supervisors instructed staff to return with the ordinance by Nov. 12.

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Los Angeles County supervisors will vote on Tuesday whether to proceed with a permanent rent control ordinance for the county’s unincorporated areas. A yes vote on this motion would direct county staff to develop a rent control ordinance that includes: Rent increases based on the consumer price index Eviction controls and “just cause” requirements Relocation assistance in certain circumstances Creation of a rent registry County staffers have been reviewing permanent rent control regulations, rental-registry requirements and eviction-control measures since last year.

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The debate over a West Hollywood’s one-year lease policy will continue into the fall.   This past Monday, the West Hollywood City Council was scheduled to memorialize a zoning amendment that effectively bans leases of less than one year for new tenants in post-2001 housing.  The council, however, was unable to agree on details of the amendment and will take up the issue again on Oct. 21.   

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The city of Long Beach released a report this week on a potential affordable-housing mandate for new developments. The mandate could come through an inclusionary-housing ordinance. Such ordinances require a portion of units in new developments be priced at below-market levels.

Tagged: Los AngelesLong Beach

Despite massive turnout in opposition, the Culver City Council voted this week to impose a 12-month cap on rent increases. The ordinance, approved on a 4-1 vote on Monday, took effect immediately. It limits rent adjustments to 3% and brings both eviction controls and a rent registry to the city.

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Los Angeles County is expected to begin exploring a potential “electrification” policy that could ultimately phase out the use of natural gas for heating apartments and other residential and commercial buildings in unincorporated parts of the county. On Tuesday, L.A. County Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Sheila Kuehl will introduce a motion to research “electrification programs either through new construction or renovation [of] existing building stock.”

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