Here’s why some SoCal cities are loosening eviction restrictions

Some cities in Southern California are beginning to loosen their restrictions on residential evictions enacted to help renters hit hardest by the pandemic.

Landlords and real estate lobbying groups have put the pressure on some municipalities to rescind the bans, according to LAist. Landlords have argued that the measures are vulnerable to abuse by tenant groups pushing rent strikes, and that property owners haven’t gotten the economic relief they need weather the economic storm.

The city of Upland in San Bernardino County repealed its eviction restrictions earlier this month after receiving a letter from an attorney representing local landlords who threatened to sue, according to the report.

The letter alleged the city could be responsible for “tens of millions of dollars in liability,” and claimed that Upland renters were using the city’s measure to avoid paying rent.

In Los Angeles County, some municipalities have also pulled back on renter protections, although landlords still must abide by the county’s eviction freeze. La Verne’s City Council dropped its protections on April 20 and Burbank’s protections expire on Friday.

In mid-April, L.A. County expanded its eviction moratorium — which expires May 31 — to include any jurisdiction in the county that doesn’t have its own measure in place.

The state’s eviction ban also expires May 31. [LAist] — Dennis Lynch