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🛠️ Renovictions, Cooling Access & Illegal Fees: 3 LA Rental Battles You Need to Know About
Welcome to The Tenure View
If you're renting in Los Angeles, you're not just dealing with rent—you’re managing a system where landlords, loopholes, and a competitive market can put your housing security at risk.
This week, we’re diving into three critical issues shaping the renter landscape:
The end of renovictions in LA—and what landlords will have to do before kicking you out for renovations
The fight for air conditioning as triple-digit heat becomes the new norm
The fees landlords can and can’t charge—and how some are pushing past legal limits
Let’s break it all down.
🚫 LA Says No to Renovictions—But It's Not That Simple
A unanimous vote from the LA City Council is pushing toward a permanent ban on renovictions—when landlords evict tenants under the guise of “major renovations” just to raise the rent for new tenants.
Now, unless a landlord has an official order from a government agency (like LA Housing or Building & Safety), they can’t use renovations as a legal reason to evict. That means cosmetic remodels or speculative upgrades no longer justify pushing tenants out.
🛠️ Coming soon: Landlords will be required to:
Pay for comparable temporary housing during a legitimate renovation
Cover all relocation costs
Let you return to your unit with no more than a 10% rent increase
⚠️ If a landlord breaks the rules? They could face up to $10,000 in penalties per violation—even more if you’re a senior or disabled.
The Tenure Take: This is a major step in protecting renters—but don’t expect every landlord to play fair. Document everything, get notices in writing, and be ready to ask: “Where’s the government order?”
🌡️ The Right to Cool: Why LA Renters Need AC Now
Climate scientists say LA will soon face triple the number of 95°+ days. But here’s the kicker: California law doesn’t require landlords to provide air conditioning—only heating.
In low-income neighborhoods like South LA, that’s turning into a health crisis. Many renters:
Aren’t allowed to install window ACs
Are afraid to even ask for cooling—worried it’ll lead to retaliation or eviction
Live in buildings with zero relief from the heat
💡 A new report from SAJE (Strategic Actions for a Just Economy) is calling for the right to:
Legally install AC units
Require landlords to provide basic cooling systems in rentals
As the summer heat rises, this is shaping up to be the next big tenant rights fight.
The Tenure Take: Cooling is no longer a comfort—it’s survival. If your building lacks AC or your landlord says no, don’t stay silent. Push for your right to safe, livable housing.
💸 Trash Fees, Pet Rent & Insurance: What Landlords Can Charge (and What They Can’t)
With rent control laws tightening, some landlords are getting creative—slipping in extra fees that look legal but might not be.
Here’s what’s allowed—and what’s not:
✅ Legal Fees:
Trash collection
Parking (not guaranteed unless included in lease)
Pet rent (but not a nonrefundable pet deposit)
Renter’s insurance (if written into your lease)
🚫 Illegal or Shady Fees:
“Processing” fees at move-in
Monthly pest control fees (landlord’s responsibility)
Nonrefundable pet deposits
Charging for a neighbor’s utilities (unless properly metered)
And remember—any change to your lease terms, including fees, must come in writing with at least 30 days’ notice for month-to-month tenants.
The Tenure Take: If a new charge pops up out of nowhere, don’t just pay it. Ask for it in writing. Then verify it’s legal—and if it’s not, push back.
🔥 BONUS: East LA is Now One of the Hardest Places to Rent in the Nation
East Los Angeles
After wildfires displaced thousands across LA County earlier this year, competition for rentals in East LA has exploded:
Vacancy rates are under 4%
Renters per unit are up 30%
New listings vanish in under 6 weeks
Translation? Prices are climbing, competition is fierce, and rent hikes are likely in the coming months—despite protections.
The Tenure Take: If you’re looking to move, act fast, document your application trail, and be cautious of landlords pushing unfair lease terms in tight markets.
🧾 Need Protection? Get the Tools.
We’re rolling out weekly resources from The Renter’s Essentials Toolkit:
✅ This week:
Move-In/Move-Out Checklist
“Is My Rent Increase Legal?” Flowchart (free when you refer 1 friend)
Renter’s Rights Mini Guide (refer 3 friends to unlock)
Stay ready. Stay protected.
—The Tenure View
