Q and A with Prop West: Rent Control

Q) I own a rent controlled building. Once a tenant moves out I renovate the unit and then rent it out for a significantly higher rent amount. One of my tenants is claiming that I am discriminating against him because I won't renovate his unit. He claims he will report me to the city. Is there anything I can do?

A) Yes, you can tell this tenant that he can move into one of your newly renovated units and pay the higher rent amount. If he does not take this option you do still have the obligation to keep his unit habitable.

Q and A with Prop West: Rent Control

Q) I pay for water at my rent controlled building in Los Angeles. The cost has gone up over the past couple of years. Can I pass on any of this cost to the tenants?

A) Unfortunately, since the property is under rent control you are subject to the annual allowable rent increases as set by the City of Los Angeles.

Q and A with Prop West

Q) I have an apartment building in Los Angeles and one of my tenants has an inoperable car in the parking area. It is very unsightly. Is there anything I can do?

A) According to the Los Angeles Municipal Ordinance an inoperable car may not be parked in an apartment complex for safety reasons. You can serve the tenant a "notice to perform or quite" and if the tenant does not remove the vehicle in three days you can start eviction.

Q and A with Prop West

Q) I have to fumigate my apartment building and the tenants will be out for two days. One of the tenants wants me to hire a security guard to watch the property and protect their belongings while they are out. Is this my responsibility?

A) It is not the responsibility of the landlord. Make sure that your are contracting a licenced and bonded pest control company and the suggest to the tenant that they remove all valuables; like cash and jewelry.

Q and A with Prop West

Q) Recently a handicapped person applied for one of my vacancies. My building is not equipped for handicapped individuals. If I rent to this person, will I have to make alterations to my building to accommodate them?

A) The law requires that you must make reasonable accommodations to persons with a disability but the law does not require that you pay for any alterations. It would be the responsibility of the tenant to pay for the costs.

Q and A with Prop West

Q) My tenant is on a one year lease and just gave my a 30 day notice to vacate after his 5th month. Can I keep his deposit?

A) Yes. Once you take back possession of the unit you have 21 days to send out an itemization of the security deposit. On that you will indicate that the tenant owes rent for the remainder of his lease and any damages. When you subtract the security deposit, it will show a balance owed to the owner.

Q and A with Prop West

Q) An applicant with a service dog applied for one of my vacant units. I understand that I must allow this person to rent the unit if they qualify but I want to know if I can charge a larger deposit? I do not normally accept pets since I am concerned about the damage they can cause.

A) In this case I would not change the advertised deposit amount. It could be considered discrimination against handicapped individuals.