Page 31 - AAGLA-JULY 2022

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
On City of L.A. COVID-19 Tenant Protections That Seemingly Will
Never End
To Mayor Garcetti and the Members of the Los Angeles City Council:
It is now May 8, 2022, and I was just re-reviewing current eviction restrictions in the City of Los Angeles and rent increase freeze. Although I am keenly aware, I was still in “awe and shock” about how the City Council continues to hold all of us landlords as hostages.
Could it really be that a tenant need not pay ANY rent from March 2020 through June 2, 2022 (and possibly beyond), and perhaps as things typically go before the City Council, more than likely extend this once again? And in case that is not outrageous enough, the past two years of rent need not be repaid until June 2, 2023? My goodness, I would certainly like such an interest-free loan from the City of Los Angeles myself!
In addition to all this, I have many tenants who stopped paying rent after March 31, 2022, when the State stopped paying rent on tenants’ behalf through the Housing is Key rent assistance program. Now, how am I supposed to make ends meet? Rents pay my building’s and my personal expenses. Will the City of Los Angeles be willing to help me to pay my expenses?
Further, how can there be a moratorium still be in place? It is not in place for anything else except for withholding apartment owners’ ability to collect rent owed to us. If you extend this moratorium further, you need your heads examined, truly I believe that!
By the way, I have observed that the City of Los Angeles has some of the lowest number of housing units being built in the country. I can tell you one reason why: NO ONE in their right mind will buy or develop property in this city, including me. I wish I no longer owned here in Los Angeles myself. Sadly, I trust you have heard all of this before, but I am also holding out hope that you will soon stop all this absurdity.
Larry R., Los Angeles
...And, Mayor Garcetti’s Office Replies With a Form Letter
Dear Larry R., Los Angeles:
Thank you for reaching out and sharing your experience. We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for so many Angelenos, including small landlords. Currently, the City of Los Angeles’ Declaration of Local Emergency and emergency renter protections remain in effect with the goal of keeping residents housed during this unprecedented public health emergency. However, it is important to note that the City’s ordinance and State of California law do not cancel rent. Under the City ordinance, tenants are still obligated to eventually pay lawfully charged rent. Landlords can learn more about City of L.A. emergency protections at housing.lacity.org or by calling 1-866-557-7368. Information about the State’s renter protections are available at HousingIsKey.com.
Here are some additional resources that may be helpful:
• Support for small landlords facing financial distress is available through the L.A. County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, which is providing expanded foreclosure protection assistance for homeowners or landlords with 15 or fewer units. Learn more at 1-800-593-8222 or by visiting LACountyHelpCenter.org.
• Landlords can initiate an application for emergency rental assistance at HousingIsKey.com or by calling 1-833-430- 2122. The program is free and pays eligible renters and landlords up to 18 months of past-due rent going as far back as April 1, 2020. If your tenant does not qualify for the State emergency rental assistance, they may be able to secure additional support through other avenues. For example, the Jewish Free Loan Association is offering an interest- free emergency loan for renters.
• Homeowners and small landlords also have expanded rights and assistance available during the pandemic. A full list of State resources is available here and federal resources are available here.
Thank you again for reaching out. We will continue to explore opportunities to address the concerns you shared with us
and will distribute information on additional resources as they become available.
Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti
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