Lawndale Plans Refunds, Credits to Some Landlords

The city of Lawndale will dole out tens of thousands of dollars in refunds and credits to landlords who own five or fewer rental units under an emergency ordinance adopted unanimously last week.

The council Thursday amended a business-license fee structure approved last summer that charged owners $139 for each land parcel with five or fewer rental units.

The fee took effect for the licensing period that began Oct. 1, 1990.

Under the amended ordinance, landlords pay only $64 if they own five or fewer units in the city, regardless of the number of parcels involved. That translates into a refund of $75 for landlords with one parcel of five or fewer units. Owners of multiple parcels and fewer than five units total are entitled to a refund of $75 for the first parcel and up to $139 for every other one.

City Manager John Nowak said affected property owners can either apply for a refund or obtain a credit for the licensing period that begins Oct. 1. Those who fail to apply for the refund by July 12 will receive a credit rather than a refund, Nowak said.

The adoption of the ordinance was delayed by several weeks while the city awaited word from the Fair Political Practices Committee on a potential conflict of interest involving council members who own rental property.

City Atty. David Aleshire said the committee indicated in a draft letter that no conflict of interest existed but had not sent an official ruling by Thursday’s council meeting.