Council adopts permanent ban on ‘renoviction’ evictions; provides pathway for legitimate repairs
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Summary
The City Council adopted an ordinance closing the substantial-remodel loophole landlords used to evict tenants for renovations (so-called "renovictions") and set a timeline for the housing department to issue implementing regulations to enable legitimate repairs without displacing tenants.
The Los Angeles City Council on July 1 voted to adopt a permanent ordinance intended to stop ‘renovictions’—evictions that landlords carry out purportedly to renovate units and then re-rent them at higher rents. The council adopted the city attorney’s ordinance transmittal and amendments that clarify landlords’ ability to perform legitimate repairs while protecting tenant stability.
Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, who led the item, said the ordinance creates a clear pathway for renovations that “works for both tenants and landlords” and noted the action implements protections consistent with the city’s earlier just-cause work. He said the motion ensures that landlords may still upgrade or rehabilitate units if needed, but that the ordinance removes the use of substantial remodel grounds as an eviction strategy absent genuine need. The ordinance also directs the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) to prepare regulations and guidance—requested to be completed within 90 days by amendment—to clarify procedures for legitimate renovations and tenant protections.
Tenant advocates and renters also spoke during public comment, urging the council to pass a permanent measure; a tenant speaker from Rent Brigade described renovictions as an urgent problem making it harder for tenants to stay housed. Councilmembers emphasized collaboration with tenant groups, the apartment associations and industry stakeholders during drafting. The council adopted the ordinance as amended; the vote recorded 13 ayes (Councilmember Price was recused from this item and he was not on the floor during the vote).
The adopted ordinance bars displacement of tenants for substantial remodels except where the landlord follows the detailed statutory or regulatory path that permits such work; the council directed LAHD to develop implementing regulations to provide a timely process for legitimate repairs that preserves tenants’ housing stability. The item’s passage aims to reduce renovictions citywide and provide clarity for owners who need to perform repairs.
