Summary of the City of Long Beach’s “Just Cause” Eviction Control Ordinance

The City of Long Beach has enacted a “Just Cause” eviction control ordinance that prohibits eviction of a tenant unless the landlord has a reason listed under the law to do so. The City’s ordinance essentially mirrors the eviction protections of the state’s Tenant Protection Act of 2019, except that it has additional regulations for substantial remodel procedures. 

 “Just cause” requirements take away a landlord’s ability to use a “no cause” notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy under state law.  The landlord is also prohibited from terminating a tenancy due to the expiration of a lease, unless a “just cause” exists. 

Covered Tenancies

The Ordinance applies to tenants who have continuously and lawfully lived in the rental unit for 12 months or more.

Exempt Properties

The following properties are exempt from the ordinance:

• Homes where the tenant shares bathroom or kitchen facilities with the owner
• Single-family owner-occupied residences, including a residence in which the owner rents or leases no more than two or more units or bedrooms
• An owner-occupied duplex in which the owner lives in the residence at the start of the tenancy and continues to live there
• Housing built within the previous 15 years
• Single-family homes or condominiums if the owner is a natural person (not a real estate investment trust, corporation, or LLC.)
• Low-income housing restricted by deed, regulatory restriction, or other agreement
• Hotels, hospitals, senior facilities, religious facilities, school dormitories.

Just Cause Reasons for Eviction

Tenants may only be evicted for a specific “at-fault” or “no-fault” reason (“just cause”) listed in the Ordinance. 

At-fault just causes include:

• Failure to pay rent within 3 days of receiving notice
• Breach of a material term of the rental agreement
• Maintaining or creating a nuisance or doing substantial damage to the property
• Refusal to sign a lease which was similar to original lease terms
• Criminal activity by the tenant on the property or directed toward owner or owner’s agent
• Subleasing the rental unit without permission
• Failure to grant landlord reasonable access to the rental unit for necessary repairs
• Using the property for an unlawful purpose
• Tenant is an employee, agent, or licensee of the landlord and failed to vacate after termination as an employee, agent, or licensee
• Refusal to move out after giving written notice to landlord

No-fault just causes include:

• A landlord or their immediate family wants to move into the rental unit
• Landlord intends to permanently remove the property from the rental housing market
• Landlord intends to demolish or substantially remodel the unit
• Landlord is complying with a government order for the tenant to vacate

Relocation Assistance

For tenancy terminations due to the landlord’s intent to demolish the building or substantially remodel, tenants are entitled to either $4,500 or two months of the tenant’s rent, whichever is greater.

For all other no-fault just cause terminations, tenants are entitled to relocation assistance equal to one month of the tenant’s rent. The landlord may elect to pay the tenant or waive last month’s rent.

Please contact Lynx Legal with any questions regarding the above, or if you are ready to start a case.  We can be reached at 888-441-2355 or info@lynxlegal.com.  Our experienced professionals are standing by to take your order or answer any inquiries you may have.