Tenants need to know the reasons the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) and the Just Cause Ordinance (JCO) allow for legal evictions.
There are two types of evictions: situations in which tenants are at fault for the evictions, and situations in which the property owner would like to regain possession of the rental unit and the tenant is not at fault for the eviction. The tenant may be entitled to relocation assistance if not at fault for the eviction.
Foreclosures are not a legal reason for eviction of any tenant in the City of Los Angeles, whether protected by the RSO or not. The Foreclosure Eviction Moratorium (Ordinance No. 180441) provides that banks or lenders who foreclose on single family homes or new multi-family properties (those with a Certificate of Occupancy after October 1, 1978) cannot evict tenants merely because they foreclose on the property. They can only evict a tenant based on the legal reasons permitted under the RSO.
Tenant is Not At-Fault for Evictions
Situations that require the property owner to regain the use of the rental unit, as the result of a personal or business decision, and not the fault of the tenant may be cause for eviction.
Tenant is At-Fault for Eviction
The landlord may recover possession of a rental unit under specific situations. Click “View” below for reasons which a tenant could be evicted and the tenant would be considered at-fault.
Illegal Use of Rental Unit
The Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) allows a landlord to recover possession of a unit if the tenant is engaging in illegal drug activity at the rental property. If you are engaging in illegal activity at the rental property, you may be evicted per LAMC Section 151.09.A.3.
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Find key resources to housing laws outside the scope of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
Resident Manager Occupancy
The Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) allows a landlord seeking in good faith to recover possession of a rental unit for use and occupancy as a primary place of a residence for a resident manager.
Landlord Occupancy
The Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) allows a landlord seeking in good faith to recover possession of a rental unit for use and occupancy as a primary place of a residence for themselves, their spouse, grandchildren, children, parents or grandparents.
Removal from Rental Market
A property owner may recover possession of a rental unit to either demolish a rental unit or to remove the rental unit permanently from rental housing use (also known as the Ellis Act).
Foreclosure of HUD Owned Units
The Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) allows the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which is both the owner and the plaintiff, to recover possession of rental units in order to vacate the property prior to a sale.
File a RSO Compliant
If you have experienced a violation(s) of the RSO and have unsuccessfully been able to resolve the issue(s) with your landlord, please click “View” below to file a RSO compliant.
