Hahn Votes for New Rental Housing Habitability Ordinance

Ordinance means county will inspect unincorporated rental units at least every four years

Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn has released the following statement after she voted in favor of a proposed ordinance to ensure the habitability of rental housing in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

“Renters are paying for safe, healthy places to live and we need to ensure they are getting what they paid for,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “The vast majority of landlords are taking care of their units and respond to their tenants’ concerns, but we need to step in when landlords drop the ball and residents need help. I think that this plan is one that is responsive to renters, fair to landlords, and rewards property owners who continue to do the right by their tenants.”

The ordinance will mean that county public health inspectors will inspect housing units in unincorporated areas at least once every four years, allows tenants to request inspections, and will put in place a new process to hold landlords accountable for maintaining habitability including the possibility that rent will be withheld partially or fully until repairs are made.

The board voted unanimously in support of the ordinance but still needs to come back to the board for a second reading and vote in 30 days.