Your Rights in Los Angeles County
In addition to state laws, local protections may also apply to you. Generally, if you are a current residential or mobilehome space tenant in Unincorporated Los Angeles County or live in a city that does not have stronger local emergency tenant protections, the following applies until December 31, 2022. (Note: Each case is different and will need to be analyzed by an attorney.)
There are restrictions on:
- No-fault evictions, except for qualified Owner Move-in evictions. As of June 1, 2022, the qualifications for allowable Owner Move-In evictions were slightly relaxed.
- Eviction for nuisance related to the pandemic (e.g. if a tenant has to take in a family member or pet and there is more noise as a result.
- Evictions based on unauthorized occupants or pets.
- Evictions for refusing entry to your landlord. As of June 1, 2022, these evictions are only prohibited if a tenant is refusing entry in response to landlord harassment.
As of July 1, 2022, there are also limitations on eviction for nonpayment of rent due to COVID-19 financial hardship for rent. Note:
- These limitations only apply to rent due on or after July 1, 2022. It does not apply to missed rent that was due before this date.
- Households must have incomes at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
- You must send a declaration (Click to download) to your landlord within 7 days of the rent being due each month.
Tenants facing eviction for the above reasons have a defense in court.
There is also a rent freeze on residential housing and mobilehomes covered by the Los Angeles County Rent Stabilization Ordinance, which generally applies to multi-family housing built before February 1995 in unincorporated areas of L.A. County. Any rent increase between March 4, 2020, and December 31, 2022, is invalid. Landlords also may not charge tenants for passthrough costs (e.g. charging tenants to make up the cost of various fees or improvements.)
The Los Angeles County protections are currently in place through December 31, 2022.
How to Stay Housed
To be protected against eviction for not paying rent, you must:
- Notify your landlord that you are experiencing COVID-19-related hardship and cannot pay your rent within 7 days of the rent due date. Click here to download the required statement. You can also use this free tool to send your letter. If possible, you should accompany your written notification with proof that supports your claim, but it is not required under the law.
- Pay past due rent before the end of any applicable “grace period."
You also have a defense to eviction if you applied for rental assistance before March 31, 2022, and still have a pending application with the state rental assistance program. You can check your application status here.
The County encourages landlords and tenants to agree to a repayment plan, but we recommend you seek legal help before entering into any such plan. The order explicitly bans landlords and their agents from harassing or intimidating tenants based on these issues.
If you’ve received a notice from the court, or from your landlord, it’s important you immediately connect with a legal service provider who can confirm your rights based on where you live and help you respond to the court notice and keep you in your home.
For help completing the legal referral form, call 1-888-694-0040.
What If My Landlord is Harassing Me?
Threatening or harassing tenants is illegal. If you are experiencing threats or harassment, do not move out of your home until a court orders you to! Sign up for a free workshop to learn more about emergency protections and your rights and get connected to resources that can keep you in your home.
For information about L.A. County's COVID-19 Tenant Protections Resolution, visit dcba.lacounty.gov/noevictions
