Rental housing providers in the city of Los Angeles will soon face new notice requirements as the city’s right to counsel ordinance takes effect on Tuesday, Aug. 20.
The law, which was approved by the L.A. City Council earlier this year, mandates that eligible tenants facing eviction be offered free legal representation funded through revenue from the ULA tax.
In addition to creating a permanent legal aid program, the ordinance imposes new compliance obligations on rental property owners. Specifically, landlords must deliver city-approved notices informing tenants of their right to counsel. These notices must be provided:
- At the beginning of the tenancy.
- At the time a notice to pay or quit, notice to cure or quit, or any notice to terminate tenancy is served.
- As well as posted at the property.
- When serving a notice of termination of tenancy based on nonpayment of rent or another curable lease violation.
The required notices must be provided in the tenant’s primary language if known to the landlord and if the city has provided a translated version of the notice in that language. Thanks to advocacy from the California Apartment Association, the responsibility for creating and translating these forms rests with the city — a move aimed at minimizing confusion and limiting administrative burden for rental housing providers.
As of this week, the L.A. Housing Department has begun uploading the required forms to its website, although some translated versions may still be pending.
CAA has long opposed right to counsel mandates, including the version adopted by Los Angeles.
To help members understand and comply with the ordinance’s requirements, the association has published an updated Industry Insight compliance paper.
