*This page was written and published on 3/02/25.

NEW Los Angeles County Eviction Moratorium 

**Effective 2/25/25**

On February 25, 2025, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a countywide eviction moratorium to last for six months, effective from February 1, 2025, through July 31, 2025. The moratorium prohibits landlords in Los Angeles County from evicting qualified tenants who have lost at least 10% of their income due to the January fires. 

What areas are affected? 

This moratorium applies to all renters living in Los Angeles County, including all 88 cities and unincorporated areas. For a list of the areas in unincorporated Los Angeles County, click here. For a list of the cities in Los Angeles County, click here. 

Requirements for Tenants to Qualify

There are several criteria required for tenants to qualify. However, similar to the Covid-19 Eviction Moratorium, tenants do not need to prove these elements, but rather just need to self-certify that they meet the requirements. Each month, Tenants are required to self-certify their inability to pay rent due to financial impacts from the January 2025 wildfires in writing, within 7 days of the day that rent is due. Aside from providing written notice of financial hardship. additional documentation is not required to substantiate their claims.

To qualify for protection under the Los Angeles County eviction moratorium, tenants must meet the following criteria:

1. Demonstrate Financial Hardship Due to Wildfires:

-Tenants must show they lost at least 10% of their income due to the wildfires.

-Acceptable reasons include job loss, reduced work hours, business closures, or fire-related expenses.

2. Provide Written Notice to Landlords:

-Content of Notice: Tenants must inform their landlords in writing that they cannot pay rent due to fire-related financial hardship. No additional documentation is needed. 

-Time of Notice: This notice must be given before rent is due or within seven (7) days after the due date.

3. Actively Seek Financial Relief:

-Tenants must show they are applying for assistance, such as:

a) Unemployment benefits;

b) Wildfire relief programs; and/or

c) Emergency rental assistance.

4. Reside in Los Angeles County:

-The moratorium applies to all cities and unincorporated areas within Los Angeles County.

The moratorium does not impose specific penalties for tenants who falsely claim financial hardship, but it is important for tenants to be honest in their attestation for moral and legal reasons. Lying in this way can subject the tenant to a lawsuit brought against them by the landlord for fraud, among other causes of action.

NOTE: Landlords cannot charge late fees or penalties for unpaid rent during this period.

Sample Notice to Landlord

Below is an example of a sufficient notice to the landlord for purposes of the current Los Angeles County Eviction Moratorium for the wildfires. This can be sent to the property manager or landlord via mailed letter (in which case it should be sent via certified mail so that the tenant has proof that it was sent and received), e-mail, or text message.

Subject: Notice of Financial Hardship Due to Wildfires – Inability to Pay Rent

Dear [Landlord’s Name or Property Manager's Name],

I am writing to formally notify you that I am experiencing financial hardship due to the January 2025 wildfires and, as a result, am unable to pay my rent in full for [Month(s) of Unpaid Rent].

Per the Los Angeles County Eviction Moratorium, I qualify for temporary protection from eviction as I have suffered at least a 10% loss in income due to the wildfire disaster. My financial hardship is due to [explain the reason, e.g., job loss, reduced work hours, business closure, increased expenses, or displacement-related costs].

I am actively seeking financial assistance through [e.g., unemployment benefits, wildfire relief programs, emergency rental assistance]. I will continue to keep you informed of my efforts and any potential sources of relief that may assist me with paying rent.

Please confirm receipt of this notice by providing a response in writing. From, [Tenant Name, resident of the property located at XXXXXXXX]

Repayment of Rent

The rent that accrues during this 6-month period is not waived, but rather the tenants must pay the rent by July 31, 2026 to avoid eviction thereafter. If the tenant does not pay all of the rent owed during this 6-month period by July 31, 2026, then the landlord the tenant with a 3 Day Notice to Pay or Quit on August 1, 2026.

This means that if the tenant does not pay the rent owed by July 31, 2026, then the tenant can be evicted via an unlawful detainer case (eviction case) which is initiated by a 3 Day Notice to Pay or Quit that can be served on August 1, 2026. Then, if the tenant does not pay the full amount demanded in that notice before it expires, they can be evicted through an unlawful detainer and the sheriff will lock them out of their home.