March 11, 2025
Los Angeles County Approves Tenant Protections for Wildfire Victims
In response to the devastating January wildfires, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved new tenant protections aimed at preventing displacement and financial hardship for affected residents. This resolution extends eviction protections, waives late fees, and establishes a financial relief fund. Additionally, Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order reinforcing statewide protections against price gouging and unfair evictions. Below is a breakdown of the key protections provided to tenants under this new resolution.
Key Tenant Protections
- Eviction Protection
- Tenants who experienced a 10% or greater loss of monthly income due to the January wildfires are protected from eviction until July 31, 2025.
- To qualify for eviction protection, tenants must provide written documentation to their landlord, which can include:
- A letter from an employer stating reduced work hours or job loss.
- A notice of business closure affecting income (for self-employed tenants).
- Proof of disaster assistance application (such as FEMA or state aid).
- Any other reasonable documentation proving financial impact.
- Landlords may challenge a tenant’s eligibility but cannot pass legal fees onto the tenant for doing so.
- No Late Fees or Penalties
- Landlords cannot charge late fees, penalties, or interest on unpaid rent accrued during the protection period.
- Financial Assistance Fund
- A $10 million relief fund will be established to assist both tenants and landlords impacted by the fires.
- The fund will be managed by a third-party organization to ensure fair distribution of aid.
- Statewide Protections Under Governor Newsom’s Executive Order
- Price gouging protections extended until July 1, 2025, preventing unfair rent hikes.
- No evictions for price-related reasons, meaning landlords cannot evict tenants simply to re-rent units at a higher rate.
- Priority housing assistance for fire survivors experiencing homelessness.
City of Los Angeles Exclusion
- The Los Angeles City Council declined to extend eviction protections within city limits. A proposal for similar protections was rejected in a 12-0 vote.