Fullerton Municipal Code Ch. 6.02 Relocation Assistance for Evicted Tenants

(A) (1) In the event any structure which is rented or occupied for habitable dwelling purposes is determined to be a public nuisance and abated by the city due to unsafe or hazardous living conditions under the provisions of this title or Title 14 of this code, or due to illegal use or occupancy of the structure for habitable dwelling purposes, any tenant evicted as a result of such abatement, or notice of such abatement, who is not then in arrears or default of rent, and who has not caused or substantially contributed to the condition giving rise to the abatement, shall be entitled to receive from the property owner relocation assistance upon vacating the structure.

(2) For purposes of this section, relocation assistance shall consist of two months’ rent and refund of any security deposit pursuant to Cal. Civil Code § 1950.5, or other arrangements agreeable to the tenant as evidenced by a written agreement between the tenant and the property owner.

(B) If the property owner is required to evict the tenants with less than 30 days’ notice due to the condition of the structure, the owner shall provide the tenant with alternate, safe and legal housing for 30 days after notice of eviction. This requirement for alternate housing shall be in addition to relocation assistance as defined herein.

(Ord. 2645, passed - -1988)

The tenants’ entitlement to relocation assistance provided by this chapter is conditioned upon the tenants’ compliance with the eviction notice.

(Ord. 2645, passed - -1988)

The property owner is not required to pay relocation assistance to tenants evicted from residential units that become unsafe or hazardous resulting from earthquake, flood or other natural disaster except where such condition remains unrepaired for more than three years after the disaster, or from recent events that are beyond the control of the property owner, including, but not limited to, damages caused by tenants.

(Ord. 2645, passed - -1988)

(A) In the event the property owner fails, neglects or refuses to pay to the tenant, upon vacating such structure, the relocation assistance, as defined in § 6.02.010 , the city may cause the payment of such relocation assistance, including any security deposit and alternate housing costs, and charge the costs thereof against the property or its owner.

(B) The cost of such relocation assistance shall be paid from a reimbursable fund and may be made a special assessment against the property involved, and may be made a personal obligation of the property owner.

(Ord. 2645, passed - -1988)

(A) Fund established. The City Council shall establish a special reimbursable fund to be designated for abatement relocation assistance for evicted tenants. Payments shall be made out of said fund upon the demand of the Director of Development Services or the Building Official to defray the costs and expenses which may be incurred by the city in causing the payment or relocation assistance to evicted tenants of abated structures.

(B) Maintenance of reimbursable fund. The City Council may at any time transfer to the reimbursable fund, out of any money in the General Fund of the city, such sums as it may deem necessary in order to expedite the performance of the abatement, and any sum so transferred shall be deemed a loan to the reimbursable fund and shall be repaid out of the proceeds of the collection thereof. All funds recovered from the property owner shall be paid to the City Treasurer of the city, who shall credit the same to the reimbursable fund.

(Ord. 2645, passed - -1988)