Relocation Money? Don’t Count on It
QUESTION: I live in a three-unit apartment complex in Gardena. The owner is selling the property, and he gave my neighbor a 30-day notice to move and said he is not paying any relocation fees to the tenant. He said the new owner wants to move into the unit.
Does the relocation fee law apply to Gardena and do I qualify for it if asked to move? Also, how much time am I allowed to move? Is 30 days right?
ANSWER: I cannot locate any law in the city of Gardena requiring owners to pay relocation fees to tenants. Most cities in Los Angeles County do not require them. Cities that do include Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills.
As to how much time you have to move, the owner’s 30-day notice to move is legal and proper. You may request that he give you more than 30 days’ notice, but he is not required to do so.
Owner Holds Key in This Situation
Q: Recently my Los Angeles renter asked me to fix his garbage disposal. I was more than willing to fix it right away and informed the on-site manager.
The problem is that the tenant changed locks on the door. Although it was difficult to coordinate everyone’s schedule, we were finally able to catch the tenant at home and replace the worn-out disposal. Since then I have verbally asked the tenant for a key to the unit to be used only in the case of an emergency. I have also written him a letter but have received nothing to date.
Since I live two hours away, it is difficult to have a face-to-face conversation with this tenant. What do you suggest?
A: Since you have already asked nicely and sent an informal letter to the tenant, stronger measures are now required. A formal notice to the tenant is your next step.
The key to resolving this problem lies within the lease or rental agreement. Most provide that the tenant may not make alterations to the unit without permission from the owner. Check your agreement for such language.
If it’s there, reference the paragraph that contains it in a Three-Day Notice to Perform Covenant or Quit (abide by the rental agreement and restore the lock to its original condition or move out). You also may give the tenant the option of providing you with a key to his new lock, as you have already done.
If the tenant doesn’t comply, your remedy is to evict him.
If there is no such language in your agreement, you may serve the tenant with a 30-day Notice to Change Terms of Tenancy and add the language to the existing agreement. Then serve the three-day notice as described above.
