Harassment and lockouts in Los Angeles

A violation of any provision of this article is punishable as an infraction or misdemeanor.

A misdemeanor conviction under this article shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000 for each offense or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not more than six months or both, as determined by the court.

Any rental unit subject to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance of the City of Los Angeles which becomes vacant as a result of a violation of any provision of this article shall only be permitted to be rented at the lawful rent in effect at the time of the most recent termination of tenancy.

A tenant prevailing in court under this article shall be awarded three times compensatory damages (including damages for mental or emotional distress), rent refunds for reduction in housing services (if applicable), reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, civil penalties up to $10,000 but not less than $2,000 per violation depending upon the severity of the violation, tenant relocation (if applicable), and other appropriate relief, as adjudged by the court.

the court may impose additional civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation depending upon the severity of the violation.

An aggrieved tenant under this article, the City of Los Angeles, or any person, organization, or entity who will fairly and adequately represent the interests of an aggrieved tenant(s) under this article, may institute civil proceedings as provided by law

However, this shall not prohibit offers made in pending unlawful detainer actions.

It shall be a misdemeanor to attempt to interfere with the peaceful enjoyment, use, possession or occupancy of any premises by the lawful lessee or tenant of such premises either by threat, fraud, intimidation, coercion, duress, or by the maintenance or toleration of a public nuisance, or by cutting off heat, light, water, fuel or free communication by anyone by mail, telephone or otherwise, or by restricting trade or tradespersons from or to any such tenant.

Reducing or eliminating, or threatening to reduce or to eliminate, housing services required by a lease, contract or law, including the elimination of parking if provided in the tenant’s lease or contract, except when necessary to comply with a court order or local or state law, or to create an accessory dwelling unit or additional housing.

Failing to perform and timely complete necessary repairs and maintenance required by Federal, State, County, or local housing, health, or safety laws; or failure to follow applicable industry standards to minimize exposure to noise, dust, lead paint, asbestos, or other building materials with potentially harmful health impacts.

Abuse of the right of access into a rental unit as established and limited by California Civil Code Section 1954, including the following: entering or photographing portions of a rental unit that are beyond the scope of a lawful entry or inspection; failing to explicitly state the specific justification for entry in the notice of entry to the tenant;

Threatening a tenant, or their guests, by word or gesture, with physical harm.

Attempting to coerce the tenant to vacate with offer(s) of payments.

Representing to a tenant that the tenant is required to vacate a rental unit or enticing a tenant to vacate a rental unit through a misrepresentation or the concealment or omission of a material fact.

Threatening or taking action to terminate any tenancy including service of any notice to quit or other eviction notice or bringing action to recover possession of a rental unit based on facts which the landlord has no reasonable cause to believe to be true.

Threatening to or engaging in any act or omission which interferes with the tenant’s right to use and enjoy the rental unit or whereby the premises are rendered unfit for human habitation and occupancy.

Refusing to acknowledge, facilitate, or accept receipt of lawful rent payments or rental assistance payments as set forth in the lease agreement or as established by the usual practice of the parties or applicable law.

Inquiring as to the immigration or citizenship status of a tenant, prospective additional tenant, occupant, or prospective additional occupant of a rental unit, or requiring any of these people to make any statement, representation, or certification concerning their immigration or citizenship status.

Disclosing or threatening to disclose to any person or entity information regarding the immigration or citizenship status of a tenant, whether in retaliation for engaging in legally protected activities or to influence them to vacate or for any other reason.

Disclosing or threatening to disclose information about a tenant to any government entity for engaging in legally protected activities or to influence them to vacate.

Engaging in an activity prohibited by federal, state, or local housing anti-discrimination laws.

Retaliating, threatening, or interfering with tenant organizing activities, including forming or participating in tenant associations and unions.

Interfering with a tenant’s right to privacy, or requesting information that violates a tenant’s right to privacy, including but not limited to residency or citizenship status, Social Security Number, relationship status, or criminal history, except as authorized by law.

Unilaterally imposing or requiring an existing tenant to agree to new material terms of tenancy or a new rental agreement, unless any of the following apply:

Other repeated acts or omissions of such significance as to substantially interfere with or disturb the comfort, repose, peace or quiet of a tenant(s) and that cause, are likely to cause, or are committed with the objective to cause a tenant(s) to surrender or waive any rights in relation to such tenancy.