You may have recently received a Hearing Notice and want to know what to expect and what are the next steps. There are two types of Hearing Notice: a General Manager Hearing Notice and a Notice of Appeals Board Hearing.

General Manager’s Hearing

A General Manager’s Hearing is an administrative hearing that affords landlords, tenants and interested parties a right to due process by providing them with a venue to grieve their cases and find resolution to conflicts. The hearings are conducted by Hearing Officers designated by LAHD’s General Manager.

Notice of Appeals Board Hearing

An Appeals Board Hearing is a second hearing provided by specific programs for those that wish to grieve the decision issued by the General Manager’s Hearing Officer. When you appeal a General Manager’s Hearing Officer’s decision, your appeal is scheduled before the Rent Adjustment Commission (RAC) acting as the Appeals Board (AB). When your case is scheduled, you will receive a Notice of Appeals Board Hearing.

The AB Hearing provides another level of administrative review by the members of the RAC thereby providing landlords, tenants, and interested parties an additional layer of due process.

To obtain additional information about these Hearings, we highly recommend that you read the information provided on these web pages. If you still need further assistance, please contact us:

Phone: (213) 808-8600
Fax: (213) 808-8613
Email:  lahd.gmhearings@lacity.org

WHAT IS THE HEARING PROCEDURE?

Generally, these procedures are followed:

1. For all those who are going to testify, an oath will be administered so that those testifying affirm that their testimony is the truth. If foreign language translation is required, an oath will also be administered to the translator so that the translator affirms that he or she will faithfully and accurately translate the proceedings.
2. The Department representative will present a brief background report for the case.
3. The appellant (or applicant) may submit relevant evidence to the Hearing Officer or AB, as the case may be.
4. Following this, the Hearing Officer/AB will hear any relevant opposing testimony and/or relevant testimony from any interested third parties.
5. Those testifying will have a reasonable opportunity to present their testimony, and there will be the opportunity for meaningful opposing testimony.
6. If there are speakers whose testimony is essentially the same, it is requested that testimony not be duplicated and that, to the extent possible, a representative be chosen to provide the testimony for the group. Repetitive statements will be limited.
7. All comments, testimony, and questions will be addressed to the Hearing Officer/AB, and there will be no discussion among the parties during the course of the hearing.

CAN I SUBMIT EVIDENCE TO THE HEARING OFFICER/AB AT THE HEARING?

You may submit evidence during the hearing. The Hearing Officer/AB will determine whether or not to accept the evidence into the record. If you are providing pictures, please indicate the following:

1. The case number
2. Date photo was taken
3. The unit or location of the picture
4. The violation to which it corresponds to

Or you can fill out an additional evidence form and attach the photo to it.

WHAT IF I NEED SPECIAL ASSISTANCE DURING THE HEARING?

Please notify any hearing staff at least 48 hours in advance if special accommodations, including a translator, are needed. Staff will make every effort to accommodate any persons with a disability. If a translator is requested, staff will make an effort to secure a translator. However, in the event that a translator cannot be obtained, the requestor may have to provide their own translator.

WHAT IF I CANNOT ATTEND A SCHEDULED GM/AB HEARING?

If you are unable to attend the hearing, your options are as follows:

1. You can send someone to represent you at the hearing.
2. You can email, mail, or fax a statement for the Hearing Officer/AB to review, and request that this statement be read into the record. Only the Hearing Officer can grant a continuance. The submissions should be received by the Hearings Section by the close of business, the day before the hearing is scheduled. Please make sure the property address and/or case number are on document(s) you submit. Click here  for contact information.

If you wish to submit documents in person, click here for public counter locations and hours.

HOW CAN I APPEAL A GM DECISION?

You have the right to appeal the decision to the Appeals Board (AB) if you believe that the Hearing Officer erred or abused his or her discretion. The appellant, owner and all interested parties that receive a written GM decision by mail will also receive an appeal form included in the same mailing. The appeal form should be submitted to the Department on or before the deadline specified on the form. Appeals not submitted timely will not be considered. Click here for more information regarding the types of appeals.

Please note that a non-refundable filing fee must be received with the completed appeal form.  Filing fees are noted on each application.  Fee waivers are available and if you believe this is applicable to you, complete the waiver declaration and submit with the completed appeal form. Appeal deadlines may vary. Please verify whether your appeal is timely before submission. All appeals must be received by the Hearings Section on or before the appeal deadline as stated on the notice that you received. Contact your corresponding department if you have any questions.

HOW CAN I APPEAL AN AB DECISION?

The decision of the AB is the last administrative appeal.