COVID-19 Protections Have Ended: What You Need To Know

For Renters Who Live in the City of Los Angeles

IF YOU OWE BACK RENT DUE TO COVID-19

If you missed a payment or payments between October 1, 2021 and January 31, 2023, you must pay by February 1, 2024, or set up a payment plan with your landlord.

Your landlord cannot begin a legal eviction process without following the specific procedure the city has set up. To understand the legal process for eviction in the City of Los Angeles, click here. The Unlawful Detainer must be posted on your door or handed to you by someone over the age of 18.

If you receive an Unlawful Detainer, you must answer it within 5 business days.

YOU SHOULD ANSWER THE UNLAWFUL DETAINER EVEN IF YOU HAVE RENT DEBT. IF YOU DO NOT ANSWER WITHIN 5 DAYS (EXCLUDING WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS), THERE WILL BE A DEFAULT JUDGEMENT AND YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY LOSE YOUR CASE. ANSWERING BUYS YOU TIME AND THE RIGHT TO A COURT DATE.

IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL PETS OR OCCUPANTS IN YOUR UNIT DUE TO COVID-19 WHO ARE NOT ON YOUR LEASE

Pandemic protections for unauthorized occupants have been extended until January 31, 2024.

On January 26, 2024, the Los Angeles City Council approved an ordinance that allows tenants to keep any animal adopted between March 2020 and January 31, 2023—even if those pets violated the terms of a lease. This ordinance requires landlords to allow pets already living in any rental housing unit to keep living there for the rest of the animals’ lives, or until the tenant chooses to move or re-home them.

If you have assistance or support animals, they are not considered pets and you do not have to pay any extra charges or security deposits. To read more about service and support animals, click here.

IF YOUR LANDLORD IS TRYING TO EVICT YOU TO MOVE IN OR REDEVELOP YOUR UNIT

Evictions to install a resident manager are only permitted when an on-site manager is required by law or the terms of a regulatory agreement, unless that eviction was noticed prior to March 4, 2020.

You are entitled to relocation fees. Click here for more information.

IF YOU RECEIVED AN ILLEGAL EVICTION NOTICE DURING THE PANDEMIC

Landlords cannot act on 60-day notices that were served between March 2020 and January 31, 2023, which attempt to terminate tenancy for a reason that was prohibited during that time period. Your landlord must issue a new 60-day notice in order for that eviction to proceed.

THE CITY OF L.A. RECENTLY WON THREE PERMANENT PROTECTIONS

Just-Cause Protections: Your landlord cannot evict you without a qualified reason if you have lived in your unit for six months or more. For a list of just-cause reasons for eviction, click here.
Nonpayment Protections: You cannot be evicted for owing less than one month of Fair Market Rent (FMR) for your unit size. To check what Fair Market Rent is in your area, click here.
Relocation Assistance: If your landlord raises your rent by 10% or more, you have the option to move out and receive relocation money (3 x the cost of Fair Market Rent, based on unit size).

For Renters Who Live in Los Angeles County

IF YOU OWE BACK RENT DUE TO COVID-19

If you missed a payment or payments between July 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, and qualified for the county’s COVID-19 nonpayment protections (and notified your landlord with a declaration), you have up to twelve (12) months thereafter to repay that rental debt.

IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL PETS OR OCCUPANTS IN YOUR UNIT DUE TO COVID-19

Tenants with additional pets and/or occupants who began residing in the unit between March 1, 2020, and January 20, 2023, and whose presence was necessitated by COVID-19 must receive a 30-day notice to cure before they can be evicted based on the continuing presence of the pet/unauthorized occupant.

IF YOUR RENT IS BEING RAISED

Rents for units that are fully covered by Los Angeles County’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) cannot be raised more than 3% annually before December 31, 2023. For more information about the Los Angeles County RSO, click here.

If you aren’t covered by Los Angeles County’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance, you may have rent control from the State of California Tenant Protection Act, or AB 1482. The law generally applies to apartment buildings constructed more than 15 years ago. Beginning August 1, 2023, rent for units covered by AB 1482 may be raised up to 8.8%.

Resources and Help

SAJE hosts a Tenant Action Clinic on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Our staff is available from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. to answer your questions and help you understand your rights. We also have attorneys present to advise you.

You can either come in person or call (213) 745-9961. SAJE is located in South Central Los Angeles at 152 W. 32nd Street.

Help through the Tenant Action Clinic is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. You DO NOT need to make an appointment. Please bring all your relevant documents, including any eviction notices, three-, 10-, 15-, 30-, 60-, or 90-day notices, and any notices you have received from a government agency or the property owner.

For the safety of the community and SAJE staff, we require proof of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccinations.

You can also visit Stay Housed LA for additional resources and help.