West Hollywood Municipal Code Ch. 17.04 Title and Findings

This title shall be known as the "Rent Stabilization Ordinance" of the City of West Hollywood.

(Prior code § 6400; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 97-485 § 1, 1997)

The City Council hereby finds that there presently exists a critical shortage of rental housing within the city and surrounding areas. Due to this shortage it is very difficult to find adequate, safe and decent rental housing in the city at reasonable rates and many tenants may be forced to move and relocate.

Due to the shortage of residential rental units, rents in the city are increasing at an excessive rate. Due to high interest rates and high land costs new construction of rental units has been occurring at a very low rate. A substantial number of persons in the city who rent apartments are age sixty-five or older and spend a high proportion of their income on rent. When low and moderate income tenants are displaced as a result of rent increases that they cannot afford to pay, they have extreme difficulty finding affordable apartments within the city. As a result of the shortage of moderately priced rental space, freedom of contract and the ability of tenants to bargain in the setting of rents has become an illusory concept.

Prior to the formation of the city on November 29, 1984, rental rates were regulated by County of Los Angeles Ordinance No. 11950, as amended. Total deregulation at that time would have led to immediate, widespread and excessive rent increases resulting in the forced eviction and dislocation of tenants, many of whom are living on low and moderate incomes. The city, therefore, adopted a temporary moratorium ordinance as an urgency measure on November 29, 1984 rolling back rents to those in effect on August 6, 1984 and limiting evictions to certain specified grounds.

The City Council hereby finds that a comprehensive rent stabilization ordinance is required to protect tenants from unreasonable and excessive rents, to protect tenants from involuntary displacement, to keep rents within the city at a moderate level and at the same time to ensure a just and reasonable return to landlords.

(Prior code § 6401; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985)