On Thursday, COVID-era eviction protections were lifted in Los Angeles and renters were expected to pay back any rent that was accrued between Oct. 1, 2021, and Jan. 31, 2023.
Daniel Yukelson, executive director of the Apartment Association of Greater L.A., told L.A.’s Morning News it’s possible those living in rent-controlled apartments could see a rent increase.
“There is pent-up demand for rent increases and [landlords] need to start recouping all the costs that they've been incurring,” he said.
He added that while evictions could happen, the process is tough for landlords.
“They could take up to eight months and cost as much as $50,000 to fully adjudicate. So, look, we're in the housing business, we're not in the eviction business and nobody wants to go through the pain and suffering that you have to go through to evict somebody,” he said. “So what generally happens is owners recover their units by forgiving a lot of rent and sometimes paying people who didn't abide by their lease to get out.”
In December 2023, L.A. City Council adopted an ordinance approving a limit on rent increases to 4% if landlords cover the costs of gas and electricity.
“I think 4% is reasonable considering how much all the prices have gone up at the supermarket and gasoline and interest rates,” Yukelson said.
“They could take up to eight months and cost as much as $50,000 to fully adjudicate. So, look, we're in the housing business, we're not in the eviction business and nobody wants to go through the pain and suffering that you have to go through to evict somebody,” he said. “So what generally happens is owners recover their units by forgiving a lot of rent and sometimes paying people who didn't abide by their lease to get out.”
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