Post date: Aug 19, 2016 5:44:57 PM
Rent-Stabilized Properties
The Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) protects tenants from arbitrary evictions and only permits evictions based on the legal reasons permitted under the RSO. Lenders and their agents violate the RSO when they attempt to evict tenants on the basis of foreclosure or in anticipation of the sale of the property. The sale or foreclosure of a residential rental property is not one of the legal reasons for eviction under the RSO.
The RSO became effective on May 1, 1979, and applies to all rental properties in the City of Los Angeles with an original Certificate of Occupancy dated on or before October 1, 1978, when there are two or more dwelling units on a lot. This includes multi-family apartments; as well as duplexes; townhomes; condominiums; mobile homes and pads; rooms in hotels/motels and boarding houses occupied by the same tenant for 30 days or more. The RSO regulates rent increases and limits evictions. The fact that there is a change in ownership does not change the terms of the tenancy under the RSO and is not a lawful reason to evict tenants.
Other Rental Properties
The Los Angeles City Council enacted the Foreclosure Eviction Ordinance (Ordinance No. 180441) on December 17, 2008. This Ordinance provides that banks or lenders who foreclose on single family homes or new multi-family properties (those with a Certificate of Occupancy after October 1, 1978) cannot evict tenants merely because they foreclose on the property. They can only evict a tenant based on the legal reasons permitted under the RSO. This ordinance, which was adopted with an urgency clause, became effective December 23, 2008, and applies to any rental units to which title is obtained through a foreclosure on or after December 17, 2008.