Rent control abuse in Los Angeles CA | Evicting abusive tenants

Rent control abuse in Los Angeles is a complex issue:

often leading to various challenges for landlords, including instances of abuse by tenants. However, it’s important to remember that evicting a tenant, especially under rent control regulations, must be done legally.

Here are some general steps and considerations for landlords facing tenant abuse under rent control in Los Angeles:

Seek Legal Advice:

Given the complexities of rent control laws and the potential for legal consequences if the process is not handled correctly, consulting with an attorney who specializes in landlord-tenant law in Los Angeles is advisable.

Understand Rent Control Laws:

Los Angeles has specific rent control ordinances that protect tenants from unjust evictions and limit rent increases. Familiarize yourself with these laws to understand your rights and obligations.  Do not try to get clever on your own; changing the locks, moving in or abusing the Ellis Act

Ellis Act for evictions abuse

It is becoming prevalent that landlords are using the Ellis Act to abuse their tenants.   It isn’t difficut

Identify the Rent control Abuse:

Determine what constitutes abuse in your situation. This could include non-payment of rent, property damage, illegal activities, or violation of lease terms.

Document Everything: Keep detailed records of all incidents of abuse, including dates, descriptions, and any communication with the tenant.

One form of rent control abuse is when the tenant no longer resides at the Rent controlled address and they sublease it out.  If this is your situation you need to hire a licensed private investigator to document these facts.

Legal Grounds for Eviction:

Under rent control, there are specific legal grounds for eviction, such as non-payment of rent, violating lease terms, illegal use of the property, or if the landlord intends to occupy the property themselves (known as Ellis Act where the “owner move-in”).

Serve Proper Notice:

If you have legal grounds, you must serve the tenant with the appropriate notice to vacate. This notice must comply with legal requirements in terms of content and delivery method.

How to Investigate Rent Control fraud?

Once you’ve determined there is rent control fraud such as the lessee no longer lives there you need to document this.  In our experience we can document who the current tenants are through databases earches, license plate registrations and then perform surveillance.  Not only must you identify these people you need proof they are coming & going and them getting mail there helps!

The second half of the investigation is performed on the Leasee.  We need to determine where they are living and document that; database records, vehicle registration and surveillance proving they in fact do reside elsewhere and hopefully work nearby.

Once completed the investigator will create an affidavit or declaration with multiple exhibits of their records and images.  The final step would be for the investigator to testify in court to the findings.