City of Beverly Hills Tenant Protections

The information below is provided by Tenants Together, based partially on research conducted by the Urban Displacement Project, and was last updated in October 2018. For complete information on the City's tenant protections, please visit their website here.

Disclaimer: This website is for general information and none of the information provided constitutes legal advice. In addition, please note that ordinances are periodically updated, modified, or interpreted by regulations. We recommend contacting the City for the official version of its law in the event that you intend to rely on this information.

Rent control is effective at keeping people in their homes. Rent control policies limit rent increases and provide greater housing stability for tenants. Rent control ordinances in California allow landlords to set the initial rent in any amount, but limit rent increases after a tenancy begins.

Rent control is often combined with eviction protections, known as "just cause for eviction," to make sure that landlords do not get around the rent increase limits by simply evicting tenants arbitrarily and bringing in new tenants. Just Cause protections provide basic fairness and prevent retaliation, discrimination, and harassment proactively.

Overview

Rating	2
What protections does the City have?	Rent Control and Just Cause Protections
Year Just Cause Originally Adopted	1978
Year Most Recent Just Cause Amendment	2017
Year Rent Control Orginally Adopted	1978
Year Most Recent Rent Control Amendment	2017

Just Cause Protections Summary

What causes for eviction are considered just cause - tenant at-fault?	Failure to pay rent Violation of an obligation of the tenancy Maintenance of a nuisance or causing damage to a unit Illegal use of the apartment unit Refusal to execute leases Refusal to provide access to the apartment unit to make repairs, inspections or to show the unit to a prospective purchaser after appropriate notice is given Allowing an unapproved subtenant
What causes for eviction are considered just cause - no-fault?	Owner Move-In Condo conversion Demolition Ellis Act
Key Exemption Summary	Eligible Units: All non-exempt multiple residential dwelling units (2+ units) are eligible Exempt Units: Single-family homes, post-1995 construction, rental housing built before 1978 and initially occupied by the current tenant for a rent of less than $600/month
Minimum tenancy for coverage?	There is no minimum tenancy for coverage.
Do protections apply to new construction?	No, protections only apply to units built before 2/1/1995 (Units built before 1978 and initially occupied by the current tenant for a rent of less than $600/month also exempt)
What triggers the obligation to pay relocation assistance?	Owner Move-In by landlord or landlord's spouse, children, or parents Eviction for major remodel Demolition Condominium conversion Ellis Act

Rent Control Protections Summary

What units are eligible for Rent Control and which are exempt?	Eligible Units: Duplex, larger buildings such as multi family homes Exempt Units: Single famly homes, condos, businesses and commercial buildings, hotels, motels
Banking Allowed?	No
Does the landlord have the petition for additional rent increases?	Yes
On what grounds is the landlord allowed to petition for additional increases in rent?	Owners must show that the adjustment is necessary for a fair and just return on investment.

Rent Board Summary

Does the City have a rent board?	Yes
Is the Rent Board appointed or elected?	Appointed
Number of Units Covered by Rent Control	7,702
Number of Units Covered by Just Cause	TBD