Tenant and Landlord Rights and Responsibilities

The City of Torrance PHA does not offer tenant and landlord counseling services or legal services. The City of Torrance PHA administers the Section 8 Rental Housing Assistance Programs for the City of Torrance. For assistance or guidance with a tenant or landlord matter that requires counseling or legal services, the PHA has developed a resource list with possible sources and assistance. The PHA does not endorse these services.

Who should I contact for Tenant and Landlord Rights and Responsibilities?
  • Housing Rights Center (HRC): HRC provides legal information, resources, and referrals on housing issues for tenants and property owners. 

    Hotline: 1 (800) 477-5977

    Website: www.housingrightscenter.org/help

  • Fair Housing Foundation of Los Angeles: The Fair Housing Foundation is private, non-profit, educational agency dedicated to promoting the enforcement of fair housing laws.

    Hotline: 1 (800) 446-3247

    Website: https://fhfca.org

  • Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA): LAFLA is a nonprofit law firm assisting low income families and individuals in the justice system

    Hotline: 1 (213) 640-3881

    Website: https://lafla.org

  • Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO): It is unlawful to discriminate in housing based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. If you believe your rights have been violated, you can contact the FHEO. 

    Website: https://www.hud.gov/contactus/fairhousing

  • FOCAL POINT(PDF, 2MB): Document contains senior citizens' directory of services.

  • Resource List(PDF, 618KB): Detailed list with resources to homeless services, emergency shelters, health care services, tenant protections, legal advice, fair housing and housing education, mental health, financial resources, low income housing, resources for person with disabilities, senior services, hotlines and emergency preparedness information. 

 

What properties are subject to the City’s eviction moratorium?

Most rental units in the City of Torrance that have a Certificate of Occupancy issued by Building & Safety Division of the Community Development Department before January 1, 2005, are protected under the City’s eviction moratorium. Owner-occupied single-family residences and duplexes may be exempt.

When does the City’s eviction moratorium become effective?

The eviction moratorium became effective on October 29, 2019.

How does the no-fault eviction moratorium affect tenants who are currently under an unexpired 60-days eviction notice?

If tenants are still occupying their rental unit and the 60-day notice has not expired, the moratorium on evictions applies and the tenant(s) are protected under the eviction moratorium.

How do I find the Certificate of Occupancy for my property?

To find out if your property has a Certificate of Occupancy issued before 1/1/2005, visit: https://aca.torranceca.gov/citizenaccess/default.aspx or you may call (310) 618-5910.

Is the landlord required to issue a written notice to evict me for an at-fault eviction or can the landlord verbally request that I move? If written notice is required, how much advance notice must I receive?

A landlord must always give written notice. The reason for the termination will determine the type of notice needed. For example, if the tenant does not pay rent when it is due, the landlord can give the tenant a 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit. If the tenant does not pay rent, then the landlord can file an eviction lawsuit with the court at the end of the three days.

If I have been served an eviction notice, who do I contact for assistance?

If you have received a notice to terminate the tenancy and the property was built before January 1, 2005, you should contact an attorney. Here is a link to the South Bay Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service: https://southbaybar.org/lawyer-referral/. Here is a link to the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service: https://www.smartlaw.org/. Here is a list of entities that provide legal assistance regarding housing matters that was created by the City of Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department: Legal Assistance Regarding Housing Matters (English and Spanish)(PDF, 368KB)

What should a tenant do if they think their landlord has raised the rent higher than the cap in AB 1482, or otherwise broken the law?

The tenant should contact an attorney. Additionally, a hotline has been set up to assist tenants: 1-888-428-7615.

What should a tenant do if they think their landlord is trying to terminate the tenancy and evict the tenant without just cause?

The tenant should contact an attorney immediately. In many cases, a tenant will have only five days to respond in court. Additionally, a Tenant Hotline has been set up by the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (“ACCE”) to assist tenants: 1-888-428-7615.

Does the City Attorney assist with any conflict if my landlord does not want to recognize the no fault eviction moratorium ordinance?

The City Attorney does not assist or represent constituents in private legal cases. However, tenants may seek the advice of counsel from a private attorney, or a non-profit organization that specializes in assisting tenants with evictions. 

A tenant can assert an affirmative defense in an unlawful detainer action if a landlord does not comply with the City’s eviction moratorium. In other words, a renter can use the landlord’s refusal to follow the moratorium rules to help with their pending eviction.

Does this temporary ordinance apply to expired eviction notices?

The eviction moratorium applies to all tenancies where the tenant remains in possession of their unit and the court has not issued a decision or judgment on the unlawful detainer (eviction).

Does the new eviction moratorium apply if I am a renter in a house (I rent the whole house, not an apartment unit)?

The eviction moratorium applies to single-family dwellings (SFD) or any other residential property that is alienable separate from the title to any other dwelling and owned by a real estate investment trust, corporation or LLC.

What are the at-fault reasons a landlord can evict under the City’s moratorium?

At-fault just cause reasons for eviction include:

  • Nonpayment of rent.
  • Violation of the rental agreement.
  • Nuisance, unlawful, or criminal activity.
  • Assigning or subletting in violation of the lease.
  • Refusing the owner reasonable access to the unit.
  • Following the expiration of the initial term, refusal to sign a written extension or renewal of the lease for a further term of like duration and similar provisions.
  • Failure to vacate when the rental unit was provided as a condition of employment and the employment has been terminated. 
  • Failure to deliver possession after notifying the owner of the intent to vacate.
       

DISCLAIMER:
Nothing in this document or any of the documents linked by hyperlinks that are contained in this document are intended as legal advice or a legal opinion. You should seek the advice of legal counsel of your choice before acting upon any of the information in this site.  Contacting the Office of the City Attorney by telephone, email or other means, or transmitting information to the Office of the City Attorney, will not establish an attorney-client relationship.

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