- Over 13K tenant harassment complaints have been filed in Los Angeles since 2021, but only four fines have been issued, with no criminal prosecutions.
- Tenant advocates are pushing for amendments to the Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance, which they hope will strengthen tenant protections and incentivize legal action.
- LA landlord groups oppose the proposed changes, claiming they could lead to frivolous lawsuits and make it harder to operate rentals.
Los Angeles may soon tighten its Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance, following reports that landlords continue to harass tenants with little consequence, as reported in the Real Deal.
Unhappy Tenants
Despite the city passing a law in 2021 to protect renters from intimidation and threats, over 13K complaints have been filed in the past three years alone, with only minimal enforcement actions taken.
Only four fines are pending out of the 13K complaints filed, and none of the cases have led to criminal prosecution. Tenant advocates say the law is not strong enough, as harassment continues largely unchecked.
That’s a problem because the Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance was intended to protect renters, particularly in a time of rising housing costs, by making it illegal for landlords to harass or intimidate tenants.
Proposed Amendments
In response, tenant advocates are urging the City Council to pass amendments that would strengthen the law.
These changes include redefining harassment to include “bad faith conduct” by landlords, making it easier for tenants to prove their cases in court. The amendments would also require landlords to pay a minimum civil penalty of $2K per violation and cover the tenant’s attorney fees if the tenant wins the case.
Proponents say these changes would align LA’s rules with stronger anti-harassment laws in cities like Santa Monica, Oakland, and San Francisco.
Landlord Concerns
Landlord advocates, however, argue that the lack of prosecutions under the current law indicates tenant harassment isn’t as widespread as claimed.
They also warn that loosening the language of the ordinance could lead to a wave of frivolous lawsuits against property owners.
Daniel Yukelson, executive director of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles, expressed concern that the proposed changes would create legal “landmines” for landlords, making it difficult to manage properties without fear of being sued.
City Response
The Los Angeles Housing Department acknowledges the challenges in enforcing the current law, citing cases where tenants withdraw complaints, fail to provide evidence, or resolve the issue without further action.
However, tenant advocates argue these issues reflect how difficult it can be to pursue harassment cases under the current system, highlighting the need for stronger protections.
