Beverly Hills - Chapter 5

Tenants whose most recent lease or rental agreement stipulates a move-in rent of $600 or less per month are Chapter 5 tenants.

Call 310-285-1031 to hear the current allowable Chapter 5 rent increase.

Landlord Termination of Tenancy

*Relocation Fee

Relocation Fees

Chapter 5 Only

*Number of years (to nearest month) X current monthly rate, up to $15,000.

CHAPTER 5 RENT REGULATIONS

BACKGROUND

[ALL CODE SECTIONS REFER TO THE BEVERLY HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.]

The Beverly Hills City Council adopted Chapter 5 regulations on September 19, 1978, in response to a critically low vacancy rate which contributed to a substantial and rising number of exorbitant rental rate increases. It was the City Council's opinion that if the increases were allowed to continue, many people would be unable to pay their rent and displacements would occur. This would be detrimental to the public health and welfare by adversely affecting the lives of a substantial number of residents of Beverly Hills who reside in apartment units. It would create a hardship for senior citizens, persons with fixed/low incomes. In the public interest, the City Council deemed it necessary to protect the occupants of apartment units from unreasonable rent increases, while at the same time recognizing the landlords' need to have sufficient rental increases to cover maintenance and increased costs of operation, and to encourage capital improvements.

The following are not subject to rent control regulations:

The following actions by a landlord require an application and review by the Code Enforcement Division:

The entire process is explained to the landlord before issuing the application form. The completed application form is reviewed with the landlord to assure completeness and submittal of all required documents. The application is recorded at the City Clerk's office after which the process is initiated in compliance with Code requirements as to noticing time lines, tenant relocation fees, staff reports, hearings and final property inspections when the work is completed.

RENT INCREASES

The maximum allowable Chapter 5 Rent increase for August 2016, is 0.6% . Chapter 5 Rent Increases varies month to month. To look up the most current allowable rent increase visit their WEBSITE or call 310-285-1031 to hear the current allowable Chapter 5 rent increase.

The amount of increase shall be 8% or the average Consumer Price Index (CPI) figure, whichever is less at the time.

A property owner may impose an annual rent increase with a 30-day written notice. [Section 4-5-303(a)] However, if the notice is sent by First Class Mail, the minimum notice time required is 35 days [Section 4-6-3(a)(c) and California Civil Code Section 827(b)(1)(B)(2)(3)].

FAQ[edit]

1. Can a property owner pass on additional surcharges?

Yes; utility surcharges as well as capital expenditure surcharges may be passed on as long as the Rent Control Ordinance formulas are followed. These surcharges are passed on at the time of the annual rent increase. Capital expenditure surcharges are amortized over a period of 60 months and cannot exceed 4% of the apartment resident's base rent. Utility surcharges are permitted; however, they are not considered part of the base rent. [Section 4-5-304 & 4-5-306]

2. Can a property owner and an apartment resident have a separate agreement regarding the tenancy and monthly base rent?

No; any agreement which waives the benefit of a tenant relating to the amount of rent to be paid for an apartment unit shall be deemed contrary to public policy and shall be void. [Section 4-5-103]

3. Can a property owner increase the tenant's security deposit?

The security deposit lawfully imposed by the landlord may be increased annually by the same percentage the base rent is increased. [Section 4-5-303(d)]

4. Can a property owner increase the rent for an additional person residing in the apartment unit if they are not listed on the tenancy or lease agreement?

Yes; the property owner has two options: the right to terminate tenancy or to raise the rent a maximum of 10% of the base rent for each additional tenant. [Section 4-5-508] A 30-day written Notice of Increase is required. [Section 4-5-307] If the increase notice is delivered by First Class Mail, then a minimum of 35-days notice is required [Section 4-6-3(a)(c) and California Civil Code Section 827(b)(1)(B)(2),(3)].

5. If, after receiving annual rent increase, a rent exceeds $600 per month, is the apartment unit still subject to Chapter 5 rent control regulations?

Yes; since the tenancy at one time was $600 or less per month, it continues to be controlled by Chapter 5 regulations. [Section 4-5-102(l)]

6. Are units and rent levels registered with the City?

No; the City does not require that rent controlled units and rent amounts be registered nor does the City maintain a list of rent controlled units and rent amounts.

7. How often can rent be increased?

A rent increase may be imposed a maximum of once in a twelve-month period at the maximum allowable base rent increase rate as calculated for the month the increase is effective [Section 4-5-303(a)].

8. Are the provisions of the rent control guidelines effective when there is a voluntary vacancy?

No; the apartment unit becomes decontrolled and may be re-rented for more than $600 per month [Section 4-5-102(g)] after which the annual increase is subject to the applicable Chapter 6 rent control guidelines. [Section 4-6-3]

9. Is a resident building manager covered by rent control regulations?

If the building manager's compensation or reduction in rent is equal to at least 50% of the current fair market rental value of such unit, the building manager is considered a manager and is not covered by rent control regulations. However, if the compensation is less than 50%, the building manager is considered a tenant and is subject to the rent control guidelines. [Section 4-5-202]

10. If the building is purchased by a new owner is the new owner allowed to automatically make rent adjustments?

No; allowable rental increases are stipulated by the Ordinance. [Section 4-5-303thru 309]

11. Is there an option available for property owners who may want to increase rents on units renting well below market rates?

The property owner has the option of filing a Hardship Adjustment Petition and having the Hearing Officer review the case to determine if an increase beyond the permissible amount would be allowable. [Section 4-5-401(a)]

12. On what grounds can a landlord terminate tenancy?

Tenancy can be terminated for the following reasons. Per State law, a ThreeDay Perform or Quit Notice (eviction notice) is required to terminate tenancy for any of these just-cause reasons:

The following are also considered just-cause reasons for tenancy termination and have varying notice requirements:

13. If tenancy is terminated for a just-cause reason, is the tenant entitled to a relocation fee and, if so, how much?

Relocation fees will be paid to apartment residents evicted for major remodel, use by landlord, demolition, condominium conversion, or Ellis Act as long as the tenancy has existed for two and one-half (2½) years, or more, prior to the date of the vacation of the apartment unit. When the tenancy has existed for less than two and one-half (2½) years but more than one year prior to the date of the vacation of the apartment unit, the relocation fee shall be one-half (½) of the following amounts:

In the event the termination of tenancy is due to either a proposed demolition or a condominium conversion, the relocation fee is calculated by the number of years of tenancy, including any portion of a year rounded off to the nearest month and the ninety (90) day notice period, multiplied by the current monthly rent, not to exceed $15,000 per unit, or the relevant amount stated above, whichever is greater. This does not apply to any apartment unit where the ninety day notice of eviction was served upon the tenant and filed with the City prior to January 15, 1991. [Section 4-5-605]