Ordinance will go into effect in April and will allow renters to miss two months of rent before formal evictions for nonpayment can proceed

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a ordinance proposed by Supervisor Janice Hahn and Supervisor Hilda L. Solis to raise the unpaid rent threshold for evictions from one month to two months of Fair Market Rent. Hahn’s proposed ordinance first came before the Board in February. This week’s second vote grants the motion final approval, with the new ordinance set to go into effect 30 days from approval.

“This is a modest but necessary increase,” said Supervisor Hahn. “With this additional month, I hope we can give renters some breathing room while not putting the entire burden on landlords who also depend on rental income to pay their own bills.”

The County enacted its Rent and Tenant Protections Ordinance in 2022 to stabilize housing, prevent displacement, and reduce the risk of homelessness among renters in unincorporated areas, particularly during periods of economic instability, public emergencies, and housing insecurity. That ordinance is modified to raise the threshold to two months of unpaid Fair Market Rent (FMR) as established annually by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. FMR varies by unit size and ZIP code.

“In the face of inhumane federal actions and ongoing threats to immigrant families, the County has taken concrete steps to protect renters. These are not symbolic gestures, but real action that meets the needs of those impacted. Raising the threshold to two months provides important protection against eviction while recognizing that many renters will still have to pay back unpaid rent to their landlords. These steps ensure renters have real, immediate protections while the County continues to use every available tool to help families stay in their homes,” said Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis.

Hahn and Solis have cited the devastating impact of recent federal immigration enforcement actions across Los Angeles County, with some communities experiencing a marked decrease in economic activity in addition to families losing breadwinners, and businesses losing customers and employees.

The ordinance applies to the unincorporated areas which are under Los Angeles County’s direct jurisdiction and are collectively home to about 1 million residents.

“While we are taking action today in the communities under our jurisdiction, every city in LA County can put in place their own tenant protection ordinances and I urge them to follow the county’s lead,” added Hahn.

This modified ordinance, like other County tenant protection measures, will be enforced by the County’s Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) through its Housing and Tenant Protections bureau. DCBA investigates complaints received from tenants or can initiate proactive investigations. Landlords are also required to provide copies of any Notice of Termination served to tenants as well as proof of service to DCBA. Upon receiving those Notices of Termination, DCBA staff review them to ensure the Fair Market Rent requirements are met.

DCBA also collaborates with legal service providers and Stay Housed LA partners for efforts to enforce these requirements.