The Los Angeles City Council on Friday formalized its decision to end its COVID-19 eviction moratorium on Jan. 31, 2023.  

This comes after years of advocacy from the California Apartment Association and its members. Although residents can no longer defer current rent due, some elements from the moratorium will continue for another year, such as a prohibition on an eviction of unauthorized occupants. 

The conclusion of the moratorium, however, does not end bad housing policy in the city.  

Despite vigorous protest from CAA, the city has dramatically expanded permanent housing regulations. These new laws cover all dwelling units in the city, including units covered by AB 1482 – California’s statewide rent cap law – as well as single-family homes and condos. 

The new “for cause” eviction regulations override the current AB 1482 “for cause” outline. Prior to this action, most single-family homes and condos were exempted from eviction controls. The new policy requires enumerated reasons for an eviction to proceed, and some elements differ dramatically from 1482, such as the amount of relocation required in some instances and the one-year vetting period before the law becomes applicable, which has been reduced to six months. 

You can read the moratorium ending and phase out ordiance HERE 

You can read the new “eviction control” ordinance HERE 

The council also approved in concept two proposals, one of which would create a rental debt threshold before an eviction could proceed, and a rent trigger threshold, which would force payment of relocation assistance if a type of rent increase is issued and leads the renter to move. Although approved in concept these laws have not been drafted yet. CAA will continue to fight these misguided policies. 

There is another very important wrinkle. All owners need to contact the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors now. The supervisors are considering a six-month extension of their moratorium, which covers all cities within the county borders. Although the City of L.A. is officially ending its moratorium, landlords in the city would find themselves subject to the county’s regulations through June – should the extension be approved. This would include a ban on evictions for nonpayment of rent in certain circumstances. Urge supervisors to terminate their eviction moratorium at the end of this month as scheduled.