Los Angeles Municipal Code § 161.807 Rent Increases

(Added by Ord. No. 173,011, Eff. 1/30/00.)

Section 161.805 Decision. 161.805.1 Notice of General Manager's Decision.

(Amended by Ord. No. 185,644, Eff. 7/6/18.)

A. General. Whenever a violation has not been corrected by the time specified for compliance, the General Manager shall hold a hearing within 21 calendar days of the date specified for compliance or any extension compliance date. If the hearing does not occur within the time frame stated in this Section, it does not remove the obligation of the property owner/landlord or other responsible party to comply with any orders or notices, nor does it limit the General Manager’s authority to issue orders at the hearing.

B. Referrals from Other Agencies. The General Manager may hold a hearing under this Division when a violation is referred by the Fire Department, Department of Building and Safety, or the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. The General Manager may issue any orders pursuant to Section 161.805 of this Article, excluding Sections 161.805(1), 161.805(5), or 161.805(6).

(Title and Section amended by Ord. No. 185,644, Eff. 7/6/18.)

A. Service of Notice. A notice of the General Manager’s hearing shall be served as follows:

1. On the property owner/landlord by certified United States mail, postage prepaid, to the address listed in the last equalized assessment roll, or by personal service, at least 15 calendar days before the hearing.

2. On each affected residential unit in the manner prescribed by Section 161.409 C. of this Article, at least 15 calendar days before the hearing.

B. Content of the Notice. In addition to any other information deemed necessary, the notice shall notify the property owner/landlord and any affected tenants of the:

1. Proposed inclusion in Rent Escrow Account Program and rent reductions as specified in Section 162.04 of this Code.

2. Proposed inclusion in the Urgent Repair Program under Section 50.00 C. of this Code or any successor program.

3. Proposed relocation assistance as specified in Section 161.805(7) of this Article.

4. Proposed property management training under Section 154.00 of this Code.

5. Proposed inclusion in the Receivership Program.

6. Proposed increased frequency of periodic inspections as provided by Division 6 of this Article.

7. Proposed rent withholding as provided by Division 9 of this Article.

8. Evictions protections as provided in Sections 151.09 and 161.806.

9. Prohibited rent increases as provided in this Division.

10. Proposed fees, costs or penalties imposed under Division 9 of this Article.

11. Proposed referral for criminal prosecution.

(Amended by Ord. No. 185,644, Eff. 7/6/18.)

A. Upon a showing of good cause, the General Manager may grant a continuance of the hearing.

B. Before granting a continuance, the General Manager shall consider the extent and seriousness of the property conditions and cited violations; the reasonably anticipated effect of the violations on the occupants; the criteria set forth in Section 161.602 B.; and any other criteria provided under the law or by regulation indicating a risk of recurring violations or harm.

C. The General Manager shall make written findings to support the continuance decision.

(Added by Ord. No. 173,011, Eff. 1/30/00.)

Department staff, other governmental agencies, the owner, tenants, and any interested persons may present any oral or documentary evidence that is relevant to the case. The proceedings shall be recorded by means of audiotape and/or videotape.

(Added by Ord. No. 173,011, Eff. 1/30/00.)

If an order is made under Section 161.805, regardless of whether the building or dwelling unit is subject to the RSO, the landlord may bring an action to recover possession of the dwelling unit only upon the grounds set forth in Section 151.09 until the Department determines that the landlord has complied with the order and for 180 days following the compliance date.

(Added by Ord. No. 173,011, Eff. 1/30/00.)

If an order is made under Section 161.805, regardless whether the building or dwelling unit is subject to the RSO, the property owner/landlord, or any subsequent property owner/landlord, shall not increase the rent for any current or subsequent tenant until the Department determines that the property owner/landlord has complied with the order and for one year thereafter, except as provided by the Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act, Civil Code Section 1954.50, et. seq., and/or other law. The determination shall include the date of the property owner/landlord’s compliance for the purposes of calculating rent increases. (Amended by Ord. No. 184,446, Eff. 9/28/16.)

If the building or dwelling unit is subject to the RSO, any automatic increase pursuant to Section 151.06 will not take effect for a period of one year after the Department determines that the landlord has complied with the order.

For a building or dwelling unit that is subject to the RSO, if the landlord applies for an individual rent adjustment pursuant to Section 151.07, any authorized rent adjustment will not take effect for a period of one year after the Department determines that the landlord has complied with the order. (Para. Amended by Ord. No. 173,810, Eff. 4/16/01.)