Beverly Hills Passes Emergency No-Cause Eviction Ordinance

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The Beverly Hills City Council passed an urgency ordinance by a unanimous vote Thursday night which eliminates no-cause evictions by landlords in the city. The vote was made after months of public input on the issue of the city's Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), the City of Beverly Hills press release said.

The current RSO provides protections for tenants under Chapter 5 and Chapter 6. Chapter 5 requires landlords to have a just cause in order to evict a tenant, including: failure to pay rent; violations of obligations of a tenancy; maintenance of nuisance; illegal uses; refusal to execute leases; refusal to provide access and unapproved tenants. Under Chapter 6, landlords are allowed to evict a tenant for no-cause, provided they pay relocation fees. The City Council voted to amend the ordinance relative to Chapter 6 and eliminate the no-cause provision, the city press release said.

"The City Council continues to explore options in an effort to develop a more balanced RSO, but conveyed an urgent need to address the no-cause eviction regulations while these discussions continue," the press release said. "It is anticipated that a final draft ordinance will be brought for City Council consideration before the end of the year."

A recent report to the City Council showed more than half of the City’s renter households are considered rent burdened and nearly 30% are considered severely rent burdened, Beverly Hills city officials said.

Details on the appeal process for landlords will addressed at the next City Council meeting on Nov. 6. For more information, please visit www.beverlyhills.org/bhrent.

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