Extra room above the garage (Photo – Radcliffe Dacanay).
In response to requests from South Pasadena renters to end no fault evictions related to “substantial renovations,” the City of South Pasadena Housing Division has released an online survey intended to poll people who rent.
By News Desk
When the L.A. County eviction moratorium was lifted on March 31, 2023, South Pasadena renters, like many in other cities, began to receive notices to vacate citing “substantial renovation” as the reason for eviction.
A loophole in California state law AB1482 created an opportunity for landlords to evict tenants in good standing for two no fault reasons. In the instance of just cause no fault eviction, a landlord can claim that they need to make renovations to the unit or property that would require tenants to be displaced for more than 30 days. The second type of just cause no fault eviction is when an owner takes the unit off the rental market to move in a family member. Both are currently disallowed under a just cause no fault eviction moratorium in the City of South Pasadena through December 2023.
Share Your Thought on a Survey NOW
If you are a renter in South Pasadena, the City is asking you to share your thoughts on a potential local ordinance that would eliminate substantial renovation as a just cause eviction. The survey is available online with a deadline of Sunday, September 17, 2023. If anyone needs an extension beyond September 17, they are asked to contact Leah Demarest at ldemarest@southpasadenaca.gov or (626) 372-8755.
South Pasadena Tenants Union is strongly encouraging renters to complete the survey to request to meet with the city housing staff to discuss the issue and how a no-fault eviction would impact you and your family.
The survey is available in English, Spanish and Mandarin and can be accessed using this link. You can also find it online with more information on the ordinance at SouthPasadenaCA.gov Community Development page under Housing Division. Or, you can call the number above to conduct the survey over the phone or have it emailed to you.
Renters in a single-family home, ADU, or owner-occupied duplex may not be protected under the current ordinance or moratorium and should contact the City’s Housing Division for more information.
They are offering the survey but they won’t distribute it the same way they directly sent it to the Real Estate owners/investors!…They have basically left it to the Tenants Union to get it out…that’s not equal representation. My issue is with a second loophole. Owner Move In…a loophole that is also being used. I have spoken personally to two council members and have submitted public comment. But they will not address this issue!…