Is My Los Angeles Property Subject to Just Cause Eviction Protection?

One of the first questions Los Angeles landlords need to answer is whether their rental property is subject to just cause eviction protections of either the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance or the recently enacted Just Cause Ordinance.  This article explains the steps necessary to make this determination, which will impact whether and under what circumstances the landlord can evict his tenant. 

Determining Whether LARSO Applies

The first step in the process entails visiting the ZIMAS website, which contains a wealth of information on property within LA City’s borders.  Type in the House Number and Street Name, then click the “Go” button. If the ZIMAS system finds a match, it will show you the entire address. Click on the address that matches your rental property. If a match is found, click on the “Housing” tab and look for the “Rent Stabilization Ordinance” heading.  It will say either Yes or No. If it says yes, your LA city rental unit is subject to the LA RSO and you can read the LA RSO rules. If it says no, then your LA city rental unit is not subject to the LA RSO, but it is likely subject to other LA city tenant protections discussed below.

Determining Whether the JCO Applies

LARSO is not the only eviction control ordinance in town.  The City has recently enacted a Just Cause Ordinance, which established just-cause tenant protections for almost all rental units, including single family homes, that are not covered by LARSO.  Los Angeles’ Just Cause Eviction Control Ordinance (JCO) covers most residential properties in the City that are not regulated by the City’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), including rental units built after October 1, 1978. The new law requires landlords to have just cause for an eviction and mandates payment of relocation expense for evictions where the tenant is not at fault.  The JCO also precludes landlord’s from proceeding with a non payment of rent eviction unless and until the tenant owes more than one month of the fair market rent.

Unincorporated Areas of the County

In order to determine whether your residential LA county rental unit is subject to rent control or just-cause tenant eviction protections, you have to identify whether or not your rental unit is located within an unincorporated area of LA county. If so, it would not be covered by either ordinance but may be covered by a County ordinance.

First, visit the Z-Net website.  Click the red Z-Net button. Where it says “Enter Address,” type the entire rental unit address. Once you type the full address, hit Enter and you’ll see a picture of a map.  If the LA county rental unit shows up in an area that is in the unincorporated area of LA county, it will appear as a dot surrounding by a blue/light blue box. If the rental unit shows next to a city with red lettering and not within a blue/light blue box, then it means your rental property is located within a city and not in an unincorporated part of LA county.

Please contact Lynx Legal with any questions regarding the above, evictions in general, or if you are ready to start a case.  We can be reached at 888-441-2355 or info@lynxlegal.com.  Our experienced staff is standing by to answer any questions or take your order if you are ready to proceed with an eviction.