Los Angeles law requires landlords to pay relocation assistance to tenants who are displaced through no-fault evictions. The amounts are set by LAHD and updated annually. This protection applies to RSO-covered units and ensures tenants receive financial support when forced to move due to landlord decisions.
Landlords must pay relocation assistance when tenants are displaced by no-fault evictions under the RSO. Qualifying reasons include owner or relative move-in, demolition of the unit, removal of the unit from the rental market (Ellis Act), major rehabilitation that requires the tenant to vacate, compliance with a government order, and conversion to a condominium. The landlord must pay before the tenant is required to vacate.
Relocation amounts are updated annually by LAHD based on unit size and tenant status. Eligible tenants (including seniors over 62, disabled individuals, and families with minor children) receive higher amounts. As of the most recent LAHD schedule, payments can range from several thousand to over twenty thousand dollars depending on the circumstances. Check the current LAHD relocation assistance schedule for exact amounts.
Your landlord is required to provide written notice of the relocation assistance amount along with the eviction notice. If your landlord fails to offer relocation assistance, you can file a complaint with LAHD. You do not need to leave the unit until the full relocation payment has been made. LAHD can enforce the landlord's obligation and impose penalties for non-compliance.
Qualifying tenants — defined as seniors aged 62 and older, disabled individuals, tenants with minor children, and tenants who have lived in the unit for 10 or more years — are entitled to a higher relocation assistance amount. These tenants may also have additional protections, including extended notice periods and priority rights to return to the unit if it re-enters the rental market.
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RSO tenants evicted for no-fault reasons receive 1 month's rent for tenancies under 3 years, 2 months for 3–9 years, and 3 months for 9+ years. Senior/disabled tenants receive an additional month.
No-fault evictions: owner move-in, relative move-in, substantial rehabilitation, demolition, or Ellis Act withdrawal. You don't get relocation assistance for evictions due to lease violations.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, contact a qualified attorney or one of the free legal services listed above.