City of LA Evictions Moratoriums: residential renters have 1 year to pay rent, commercial 3 renters have 3 months

Both residential and commercial renters in the City of Los Angeles who are unable to make rent due to circumstances related to COVID-19 will have extra time to pay, thanks to an official ordinance passed by City Council March 27th that took effect on March 31st.

“If you can’t pay your rent right now you won’t be evicted – it’s that simple,” said Councilmember Paul Koretz at SF Valley Congressman Brad Sherman’s COVID-19 telephone town hall March 31st. However, it isn’t free money, the Councilmember cautions: rents are deferred, rather than waived outright, and must be repaid in full within one year for residential renters, or three months for commercial tenants.

Other new protections include not being evicted for the presence of unauthorized occupants, pets, or nuisance related to COVID-19.

Additionally, the Ellis Act may not be used to remove residential tenants from rent-stabilized properties during the entire Local Emergency Period. This Ellis Act restriction remains in place for 60 days after that period is officially ended.

Residential tenants, get help and learn more about your evictions protections from the LA City Housing + Community Investment Department at the HCIDLA COVID info page at https://hcidla.lacity.org/covid-19-eviction-moratorium
Included there are tips for telling your landlord that you are struggling with rent payments during this crisis, as well as info on how to file a complaint.

Please bookmark that page, as HCIDLA will be updating it to reflect the latest news for residential renters, as this fluid situation changes. Need help? Call their hotline at 1-866-557-7368, seven days a week: Mon – Fri 8:30am – 4:30pm / Sat – Sun 10am – 3pm.

Read the final official Los Angeles City Ordinance #186585, and see the entire City Council file #20-0147-S19 on this matter.