Q and A with Prop West

Q) My tenant has not paid their rent so I served them with a 3-day notice. The tenants made a partial payment during the 3 day period. Can I still start eviction on my tenants since they have still not paid the full rent amount?

A) If you accepted a partial payment at any time during or after the 3-day period you must send the tenants another 3-day notice with the correct amount that they still owe. Then if the tenants don't pay you can start eviction.

Q and A with Prop West: Rent Control

Q) I recently raised the rent at my rent controlled building the allotted 4%. I just found out that one of my tenants has brought in a roommate. I know that the city allows an additional 10% rent increase for a roommate but do I have to wait another year to raise these tenants?

A) No, you do not have to wait to raise the rent.

Q and A with Prop West

Q) One of my tenants, in a rent controlled building, left some candles lit and it set off the smoke detectors causing the fire department to respond. They broke down the door to let the smoke out. Can I evict the tenants? Can I make the tenants responsible for replacing the damaged unit door?

A) Since this was only a one time incident of negligence by the tenant it is not considered a nuisance and is not grounds for an eviction. The tenant is responsible for the damage caused by the for department.

Q and A with Prop West

Q) Are there any special laws concerning the remediation of rental units formally occupied by smokers? Is there a special paint I need to use or do the walls need to be scrubbed?

A) There are no laws requiring a landlord and/or owner to do any special type of cleaning for units that were vacated by smokers.

Q and A with Prop West

Q) I have a single family house that I rent out. When the original lease expired I gave the tenants a new one year lease with a rent increase. The tenants still have not signed the lease nor are they paying the new rent amount. What should I do?

A) You have three options. 1. Serve the tenants a notice to vacate. 2. Serve the tenants a 3-day notice to sign the agreement or move out. If they don't sign or move out you can start eviction.
or 3. Send the tenants a 30-day notice to increase their rent and let them stay on a month to month agreement.

Q and A with Prop West

Q) I just bought a tri-plex with existing tenants and the previous owner did not get security deposits. The building is not under rent control. Can I serve them a 30-day notice requesting that they pay a deposit?

A) Yes. You have the right to request that a security deposit is paid. You may do this by serving a 30-day notice. Remember that a security deposit cannot be more than two times the monthly rent.

Q and A with Prop West

Q) I have a rental apartment building that is under rent control. One if my tenants just obtained a roommate. Can I raise the rent?

A) Yes. Under the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance you can raise the rent an additional 10% for each new tenant that joins the tenancy after its inception. The only exception is if the new tenant is a dependent minor.