Explainer – Renters Alliance

My Landlord is Asking for an Estoppel. Need I Sign It?

July 16, 2024July 29, 2024 Mark Elliot estoppel

An estoppel certificate is a legal document that simply establishes the terms and status of a rental agreement (or lease) for a third party like a prospective buyer. Typically a tenant is asked to complete an estoppel when purchase negotiations advance and that request may come from the current owner or an agent working on behalf of a prospective buyer. It is nothing to fear; it is a standard step in the sale of real property. In any case the lease or rental agreement may require the tenant to complete it. When presented with an estoppel to complete and sign you may have questions. Here is what you need to know.

Explainer

Small Claims Court: A Tenant’s Guide [Updated]

July 13, 2024July 15, 2024 Mark Elliot security deposit, small claims court

A landlord-tenant legal dispute can arise in a variety of situations, but when it concerns money in an amount that is less $12,500 the tenant can take the landlord to small claims court. Neither the plaintiff nor the landlord can bring an attorney to small claims, so it somewhat levels the playing field compared to superior court where landlords are invariably represented by counsel. Among the most common small claims cases are those that concern a security deposit unlawful withheld. Let’s look at the small claims process and, specifically, at the example concerning the security deposit.

Explainer

Security Deposits: A Primer [Updated]

July 11, 2024July 14, 2024 Mark Elliot security deposit

One of the challenges of renting is the up-front cost: a prospective Beverly Hills tenant can expect to hand over about $5,000 to rent a 1-bedroom apartment while a 2-bedroom household may need $7,000 to start. A hefty two-month deposit would add another 50%. But another challenge is renting when the landlord delays returning the deposit or takes a big bite out of it. What’s the law?

Explainer

Security Deposit: Ten Steps to a Timely Refund [Updated]

July 10, 2024July 15, 2024 Mark Elliot security deposit

State law requires that the security deposit be returned to the tenant within 21 days of move-out. Any deduction up to $125 must include an itemized list of actual expenses paid by the landlord. But too often we hear of improper deductions or even the entire deposit stolen by the landlord. The law is clear that the deposit is the tenant’s money and is to be returned minus only specific, lawful expenses. Before the landlord can steal your money protect yourself with these steps….starting with move-in.

Explainer

Burglar Bars in Multifamily: Crime Protection Measure or Fire Safety Hazard?

July 8, 2024 Mark Elliot burglar bars

‘Burglar bars’ are wrought-iron grates that are affixed to first-floor windows of residential dwellings. We see them all across Los Angeles and occasionally in Beverly Hills. They may provide a sense of security, but when not properly maintained they can rust and fail to swing open when released from inside. In a fire they can trap residents inside. Too often we see aged and rusting burglar bars on multifamily properties that are poorly-maintained and that can be a safety hazard. So we got to wondering…What are the regulations on burglar bars?

Explainer

How to Submit Your Complaint to City of Beverly Hills

June 28, 2024July 5, 2024 Mark Elliot code enforcement

City of Beverly Hills is slow to act on problems in the community because city hall undertakes no proactive enforcement of our municipal code. If an officer in the field witnesses a violation, he won’t take the initiative to open a case. Instead the city relies on residents to make a complaint, follow up, and if the problem goes uncorrected then to go through the process all over again. Submitting a complaint can be frustrating but don’t worry we have plenty of experience. Here is our guide to complaints and some tips to get the city to act!

Explainer

The Landlord Must Accept Third-Party Rent Payments

May 10, 2024May 12, 2024 Mark Elliot

Landlords who resist accepting rent payments from a third party (someone who is not on the lease) should know that they must now accept that payment if the tenant also provides an acknowledgement that such a payment is not a basis for creating a new tenancy. This will be some comfort to a tenant who has to tap a friend for emergency assistance or even a relative who on a regular basis subsidizes the rent. Until Assembly Bill 2219 the landlord could refuse that payment. The state has you covered!

Explainer

Beverly Hills Affordable Housing Eligibility: What You Need to Know

July 24, 2023July 5, 2024 Mark Elliot affordable housing, Mark Elliot

City of Beverly Hills has guidelines for prioritizing the eligibility of applicants for affordable housing: seniors get first shot then families with children, etc. The guidelines have been on the books for years. But only recently has there been an opportunity to use them as a few new deed-restricted affordable units became available. Looking ahead to the decade ahead, more affordable units will come online so we thought it helpful to describe the process of qualifying with a focus on the guidelines that help to determine eligibility.

Explainer

What is Proper Notice for a Rent Increase?

July 6, 2023 Mark Elliot max increase

Beverly Hills agreed on the maximum allowable annual rent increase for rent-stabilized households just days before the new percentages took effect on July 1st. Landlords who waited to learn the maximum percentages available were unable to raise the rent as early as July and unless they were quick on the draw they could miss the minimum 30-day notice deadline for August 1st. Some cheated the advance notice and others didn’t post the notice properly. We thought an explainer was in order: What is proper notice for a rent increase?

Explainer

Is the Landlord’s Rent Increase Lawful? Trust But Verify!

July 4, 2023July 5, 2023 Mark Elliot max increase

Beverly Hills is a rent control city which means the allowed annual rent increase for rent-stabilized tenants is regulated by a local rent stabilization ordinance. The ordinance determines the allowable rent increase and the city posts that percentage online. Sometimes the landlord raises the rent and a tenant will wonder, Is the landlord’s rent increase correct or even allowed by law? Here we explain how to find the allowed percentage and verify that the rent increase imposed by the landlord is correct and lawful.

Explainer

The Annual Rent Increase: What You Need to Know [Updated]

July 4, 2023July 5, 2024 Mark Elliot max increase

Each July City of Beverly Hills posts the maximum allowed annual rent increase percentage for Chapter 6 tenants that is available to landlords for a 12-month period concluding the following June. The percentage rent increase available for Chapter 5 tenants is recalculated each month. Both percentages are indexed to inflation but determined by different formulas. Like much about Beverly Hills rent stabilization it is complicated but poorly explained on the city’s website. Let Renters Alliance explain the annual rent increase in plain language using specific examples.

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Explainer