Page 44 - AAGLA-JUNE 2022

Local Advocacy Update
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• Relocation Fees: where a renter is evicted for “no-fault” reasons (e.g., owner move-in, substantial remodel, etc.), the owner must pay the renter relocation fees “equal to two months of the tenant’s rent that was in effect when the owner issued the notice to terminate the tenancy, or $5,000, whichever is greater.” The relocation fee is to be paid within 15 calendar days of service of the notice.
• Exemptions: the ordinance provides for limited exemptions including “single-family Owner- occupied residences, including a residence in which the Owner-occupant rents or leases no more than two bedrooms” and a duplex where the “Owner occupied one of the units as the Owner’s principal place of residence at the beginning of the Tenancy, so long as the Owner continues in occupancy.”
• Notice Requirements: The ordinance sets forth several notice requirements, including notices that must be provided to a renter concerning the existence of the ordinance and the renters’ rights under the ordinance, and the languages of the notices. Certain notices must be provided within 30 days of the ordinance’s June 4th effective date. We encourage members to review the details of the various notice requirements and access new forms on the Association’s website.
• Posting Requirements: Owners are required to post signs in a conspicuous location on the property regarding the existence of the ordinance, including protections related to immigration or citizenship status of the renter found under California Civil Code Section 1940.35 and California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1161.4. The notice must be posted in English, Purepecha, Mixteco, Otomi, Tagalog, Zapoteco, Nahuati, and Spanish.
• Violations: Civil citations prior to prosecution as a misdemeanor. Willful failure to comply with relocation payment obligations subject to treble damages.
• Expiration: December 31, 2030
Pasadena City Council Adopts Ordinance Ending City’s Moratorium on Residential Evictions on June 30, 2022
On May 2nd, the Pasadena City Council adopted an ordinance, with Councilmember Rivas opposing, ending the residential eviction moratorium on June 30, 2022. Renters will have six months from the expiration of the moratorium to repay back rent owed. Mayor Gordo, who indicated that he is a rental housing provider in Pasadena recused himself from the discussion and ordinance vote. We encourage members with property in the City of Pasadena to review the full details of the ordinance, applicability of the existing Los Angeles County Eviction Moratorium and potential applicability of the State COVID- 19 protections and consult with an attorney regarding specific tenancy questions.
The City will also be establishing a plan to assist renters after the residential eviction moratorium ends, which will include $300,000 for homelessness prevention, an additional allocation of $150,000 for Housing Rights Center services, and $3 million for rental assistance to low-income residents covering both back rent and up to two years of temporary rental assistance going forward.
Pasadena Rent Control Ballot Measure is Certified for November 2022 Election
A Pasadena rent control ballot measure will be on the November 2022 ballot for voter consideration. If approved by voters, the measure would amend the Pasadena City Charter to impose strict, local rent control that would limit annual rent increases to just 75% of the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), institute “just cause”
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44 JUNE 2022 • WWW.AAGLA.ORG