LA County Eviction Moratorium Extended, $45M Relief Fund for Landlords Approved

Credit: @matthalls

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has voted to extend the eviction moratorium through the end of March. The board also approved a $45 million relief fund for landlords.

Here’s a quick update: 

Some wanted the extension to run through June, but a compromise was reached for March 31—for now. This measure would also cover the city of Los Angeles residents where the city-wide eviction moratorium has expired and not been renewed. 

An amendment was made to create a $45 million relief fund for landlords who have not been able to collect rent due to covid 19. The original proposals were for $5 million. Landlords may be eligible to collect up to $30,000 per unit! Landlords who collect relief must do so under the agreement they won’t evict those tenants. Be on the lookout for updates about the relief program.

Both landlords and tenants need to try to look ahead and be realistic about their situations to negotiate solutions without the need for court. Where and when the court is available, it will take a very long time, and neither party will have control over the outcome, timeline, and terms of resolution. Doing nothing or having expectations that the court will be helpful or efficient is going to be a disappointing venture. Both parties will need to do some problem-solving on their own. 

If negotiating amongst yourselves has been difficult, mediation can help make the process less expensive than the prospect of court, more efficient, and much more flexible in options to resolve the issues. However you work it out, it is important to address rental debt head-on, rather than avoid it because the consequences of that are going to be much more difficult to deal with.

---