NEW JUST CAUSE ENFORCEMENT FEE FOR LANDLORDS IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES
The City of Los Angeles’ Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance (JCO), which took effect on January 27, 2023, expanded eviction protections to all residential rental units in the City of Los Angeles not covered by the City’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO).
On January 7, 2025, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved an annual Just Cause Enforcement Fee of $31.05 per unit for rental properties covered by the JCO. This new fee is effective immediately, with the initial payment deadline set for February 28, 2025.
The purpose of the fee is to fund a new JCO enforcement program. Properties covered by the JCO include most multifamily properties built after October 1, 1978, single-family houses, condominiums, townhouses, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and Junior ADUs.
The fee is due on January 1 of each year and is considered late if not received by the last day of February. Payments must be made to the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD). Landlords who fail to pay by the deadline will be deemed delinquent and subject to a penalty determined by the LAHD.
This new law prohibits landlords from demanding or accepting rent for a rental unit subject to the JCO without:
- Procuring a valid annual registration statement from the LAHD for the subject property by paying the Just Cause Enforcement Fee plus any penalty for late payment, if applicable; and
- Serving on the tenant a copy of the valid registration statement or posting a copy of the registration statement in a conspicuous place at the subject property.
In any action by a landlord to recover possession of residential real property, the tenant may raise as an affirmative defense the failure of the landlord to comply with these new requirements or any other provision of the JCO.
The following LAHD fees remain unchanged:
- Annual registration fee for units covered by the RSO of $38.75 per unit; and
- Annual Systematic Code Enforcement Program (SCEP) fee of $67.94 per unit.
Landlords can access their accounts, register properties, and make payments online at the LAHD Billing Portal located at:https://housingbill.lacity.org/billing/.
Assistance is also available via the LAHD Helpline: (877) 614-6873.
Further information regarding the JCO is available from the LAHD at: https://housing.lacity.gov/residents/just-cause-for-eviction-ordinance-jco
The law firm of Wallace, Richardson, Sontag & Le, LLP represents landlords, property management companies, institutional and private lenders, employers and insurance companies throughout the State of California in real estate, business and employment litigation. The information provided herein is for general interest only and should not be relied upon or construed as legal advice.