The Los Angeles City Council prohibits the eviction of unauthorized people and pets during a fire

Los Angeles city officials are trying to protect some tenants from eviction fire which devastated the region and destroyed thousands of houses.

By a 15-0 vote on Tuesday, Los Angeles City Council members directed the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would have prohibited evictions for extra residents or unauthorized pets “claimed” by the fires for a year.

Councilor Tracy Park, whose area is part of the hard-hit area Pacific Palisadeproposed the rules in a filing that noted “some affected people and their pets are currently living with friends and family in rental properties that may not allow pets or additional people under current leases.”

After the city attorney drafts the ordinance, it will go back to the council for final approval.

Under the rules, tenants will be required to notify their landlord within 30 days of the ordinance taking effect of any unauthorized pets or people staying with them through the Palisades. Eaton or another January fire.

Some officials want to go further, citing in part reports that some landlords are raising rents above the temporary price gouging means of protection allow.

More details:Fire victims compete to find new homes amid booming real estate market in Pacific Palisades, Altadena

Council members Eunice Hernandez and Hugo Soto-Martinez filed for a non-payment eviction ban rent if tenants face economic or medical hardship due to the fires, and to implement a “suspension of rent increases for all rental housing units until January 31, 2026.”

Both actions are similar to rules in place during the COVID-19 pandemic and have raised concerns among landlord groups.

Fred Sutton, senior vice president of the California Apartment Association, told council members that property owners are willing to help, but called the rent freeze and eviction protections for non-payment an irresponsible policy that “goes far beyond those in immediate need and hardship.” .

The proposals of Hernandez and Soto-Martinez were not approved and referred to the committee.

Faiza Malik, a pro-bono attorney with the law firm Public Counsel, expressed disappointment that the council did not sign off on the rent freeze and further eviction protections, but hopes the city will do so soon.

She said low-income households who worked in burned areas are now out of work, while relatively well-off homeowners have lost their homes and are looking for rental housing.

“These fires have seriously exacerbated the county’s existing affordable housing and homelessness crisis,” Malik told council members.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.