City OKs Changes to Rent-Control Law
The Los Angeles City Council adopted a package of amendments to the city’s rent-control ordinance Friday designed to prevent landlords from charging exorbitant rents to pay for earthquake damages.
The amendments proposed by Councilwoman Laura Chick sought to restrict an exemption in the existing rent-control laws that allow landlords to pass on the cost of rehabilitating buildings to tenants.
Under the existing ordinance, they also could keep those rent increases in place permanently.
A few landlords testified against changing the exemption, but Chick aide Ken Bernstein called it “a quirk” in the ordinance, saying Chick wanted to make sure tenants are not overcharged.
Under a compromise worked out by council members Friday, apartment owners would only be able to raise rents 10% per year, or $75, which ever figure was lower, to pay for earthquake repairs. The increases can only stay in place until the rehabilitation work is paid for.
“It’s structured so they [landlords] could recover the costs of repair, but not keep rent increases in place forever. That seems unfair,” Bernstein said.
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