West Hollywood Municipal Code Ch. 17.36 Annual General Rent Increases

Editor's Note: The title of this chapter was amended by § 44 of Ord. 99-548. The chapter was previously titled "Annual General (Across-the Board) Rent Increases."

On or after September 1, 1985, landlords shall be permitted to demand the base rent, increased by three percent.

(Prior code § 6409(a); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-67U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79U § 1, 1985; Ord. 87-135 § 8, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 8, 1987; Ord. 91-372 § 3, 1991; Ord. 94-414 § 1, 1994; Ord. 94-428 § 5, 1994; Ord. 95-440 § 1, 1995; Ord. 95-449U § 8, 1995; Ord. 96-469 § 1, 1996; Ord. 97-485 § 2, 1997)

On or after September first of each year after 1985, the maximum allowable rent for a rental unit may be increased without application to the city in an amount not to exceed seventy-five percent of the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) during the preceding twelve months. Said percentage increase shall be equal to the percentage increase between the CPI last reported as of May of the prior year and the month of May of the current year.

The increase shall be annually calculated by the Commission. The amount of the permitted increase shall be rounded to the nearest one-quarter of one percent.

In the event that the CPI decreases, no increase or decrease in rents shall be authorized pursuant to this chapter.

In the event that the CPI increases by four percent or more, the annual general adjustment shall be limited to a maximum of three percent. This limit shall be effective upon adoption, and any annual general adjustment in effect at the time of adoption that exceeds the limit, shall be reduced to three percent.

(Prior code § 6409(b); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79U § 1, 1985; Ord. 87-135 § 8, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 8, 1987; Ord. 91-372 § 3, 1991; Ord. 94-414 § 1, 1994; Ord. 94-428 § 5, 1994; Ord. 95-440 § 1, 1995; Ord. 95-449U § 8, 1995; Ord. 96-469 § 1, 1996; Ord. 97-485 § 2, 1997; Ord. 22-1194 § 3, 2022)

The amount of the annual general adjustment shall be announced by the Commission on or before July first of each year and there shall be a mailing to tenants and landlords indicating the amount and conditions for said increase.

(Prior code § 6409(c); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79U § 1, 1985; Ord. 87-135 § 8, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 8, 1987; Ord. 91-372 § 3, 1991; Ord. 94-414 § 1, 1994; Ord. 94-428 § 5, 1994; Ord. 95-440 § 1, 1995; Ord. 95-449U § 8, 1995; Ord. 96-469 § 1, 1996; Ord. 97-485 § 2, 1997)

At the time of the annual adjustment permitted under Sections 17.36.010 and 17.36.020, a landlord providing electricity and/or gas utilities to a tenant without charge may increase the rent by an additional one-half of one percent of the rent for each utility provided.

1. No additional increases for utilities may be taken in connection with the annual general adjustments that were effective September 1, 1994, September 1, 1995, and September 1, 1996.

2. No additional increases for utilities may be taken in connection with any annual general adjustments that are effective after September 1, 1996, unless, after reviewing the recommendation of the Commission, the City Council has determined by resolution that the additional increases may be taken.

(Prior code § 6409(d); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79U § 1, 1985; Ord. 87-135 § 8, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 8, 1987; Ord. 91-372 § 3, 1991; Ord. 94-414 § 1, 1994; Ord. 94-428 § 5, 1994; Ord. 95-440 § 1, 1995; Ord. 95-449U § 8, 1995; Ord. 96-469 § 1, 1996; Ord. 97-485 § 2, 1997)

On or after September first of each year after 1995, rent adjustments permitted pursuant to this chapter may be taken for a rental unit only if the unit has not been given a general adjustment within the preceding twelve months and the tenancy was created more than twelve months prior to the effective date of the increase. The annual general adjustment announced by the Commission each year shall be available only for annual rent increases which first become effective at any time during the period of September first of the year in which the adjustment is announced through August thirty-first of the following year.

(Prior code § 6409(e); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79U § 1, 1985; Ord. 87-135 § 8, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 8, 1987; Ord. 91-372 § 3, 1991; Ord. 94-414 § 1, 1994; Ord. 94-428 § 5, 1994; Ord. 95-440 § 1, 1995; Ord. 95-449U § 8, 1995; Ord. 96-469 § 1, 1996; Ord. 97-485 § 2, 1997)

A landlord who is not in substantial compliance with any of the provisions of this title shall not demand, accept or retain the annual rent increase otherwise permitted by this chapter.

(Prior code § 6409(f); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79U § 1, 1985; Ord. 87-135 § 8, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 8, 1987; Ord. 91-372 § 3, 1991; Ord. 94-414 § 1, 1994; Ord. 94-428 § 5, 1994; Ord. 95-440 § 1, 1995; Ord. 95-449U § 8, 1995; Ord. 96-469 § 1, 1996; Ord. 97-485 § 2, 1997)

Rent increases permitted pursuant to this chapter shall not be effective and shall not be demanded, accepted or retained until the landlord has first given notice to the affected tenant(s) as required by state law and the terms of any written lease or rental agreement applicable to the tenancy. Such notice shall contain a statement to the effect that the landlord is in compliance with all of the provisions of this title.

(Prior code § 6409(g); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79U § 1, 1985; Ord. 87-135 § 8, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 8, 1987; Ord. 91-372 § 3, 1991; Ord. 94-414 § 1, 1994; Ord. 94-428 § 5, 1994; Ord. 95-440 § 1, 1995; Ord. 95-449U § 8, 1995; Ord. 96-469 § 1, 1996; Ord. 97-485 § 2, 1997)