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This week, my City Council colleagues and I took a significant step to increase tenant protections by passing a motion to expand the Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance (TAHO). These new updates will provide clearer definitions of harassment, require faster repairs, strengthen privacy protections, and impose stricter penalties on landlords who violate tenant rights. These protections are essential to keeping renters in their homes, preventing people from becoming homeless, and creating stable, livable neighborhoods for all of us—whether you’re a renter or homeowner.
While these new protections are expected to be enacted by the end of the year, it’s important that tenants understand their rights today. Below, you’ll find an overview of your current protections under TAHO, as well as ways to access assistance if your rights have been violated:
Your Rights as a Tenant Today
1. Protection from Harassment
Landlords cannot harass you. Harassment includes actions like:
- Threatening or intimidating you to move out.
- Withholding necessary repairs or services like water, gas, or parking that are part of your lease.
- Entering your home without proper notice or legal reason.
- Trying to get you to leave by offering money repeatedly.
- Refusing to accept your rent payment, especially from third parties (like a government or charity rental assistance program).
- Lying to you about needing to move out.
- Interfering with your privacy or demanding private information they aren’t allowed to ask for.
2. Right to Privacy
Your landlord cannot ask for personal information such your immigration status or Social Security number unless it’s required by law.
3. Protection from False Information
Landlords cannot mislead you or leave out important details to pressure you into moving out.
4. Legal Defense
If your landlord is trying to evict you through harassment, you can use TAHO as a defense in court.
What To Do If Your Rights are Violated
- Document Everything: Keep a record of all communications, actions, and incidents related to harassment.
- Seek Legal Help: You can take your landlord to court for harassment and seek compensation.
- File a Complaint: You can file a complaint with the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) in person or on their website.
- Use Your Protections: The Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance allows you to use these protections as a defense in court if your landlord tries to evict you.
Need Financial Assistance for Rent?
If you’re struggling with rent, Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA) offers interest-free loans to individuals and families for housing costs, including rent. These loans can help cover rent payments and provide financial relief without additional interest or fees. This service is open to everyone. To learn more about their programs, visit jfla.org or call (323) 761-8830.
Contact Our Office
If you have questions or need assistance related to tenant protections or any other issues, please contact my office. Our contact information can be found at the bottom of this email.
All my best,
Katy |
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As we approach the Jewish High Holy Days, I want to inform you about additional safety measures in place as well as special parking enforcement accommodations to support the Jewish community.
Additional Security
My office has been working closely with LAPD to fund additional patrols around houses of worship throughout the upcoming season. These patrols are part of the $200,000 in police overtime that we recently secured for Council District 5.
This week, I hosted a High Holy Days Public Safety forum with LAPD Commander Steve Lurie and several other community leaders. To watch a video recording of the meeting, please click here.
Relaxed Parking Enforcement
From Wednesday, October 2, at 1:00 PM through Saturday, October 26, at 1:00 AM, there will be relaxed enforcement of street cleaning, time limit, and preferential parking restrictions in designated areas. This includes the following holidays:
Rosh Hashanah: Wednesday, October 2nd, 1:00 PM to Sunday, October 6th, 1:00 AM
Yom Kippur: Friday, October 11th, 1:00 PM to Sunday, October 13th, 1:00 AM
Sukkot: Wednesday, October 16th, 1:00 PM to Thursday, October 24th, 1:00 AM
Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah: Wednesday, October 23rd, 1:00 PM to Sunday, October 27th, 1:00 AM
Please note that parking meters, tow-away zones, and other safety violations will continue to be enforced during this period to maintain public safety. |
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Pioneer Women Awards
This week, I recognized Arnali Ray, a dedicated leader from Council District 5, with the Pioneer Women Award, which is presented each year to local female leaders who have contributed to promoting gender equity in Los Angeles. Arnali’s work in social services and healthcare, particularly her efforts to expand access to critical services for people experiencing homelessness, has made a lasting impact on our community. Her leadership at Hollywood Food Coalition and her advocacy for our most vulnerable residents is a true example of how collaboration and compassion can create meaningful change. I’m incredibly proud to celebrate her contributions and the difference she continues to make in Los Angeles. |
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Honoring Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
On Friday, I stood alongside Councilmember Nithya Raman and Paulinda Babbini, founder of The Ovarian Cancer Circle, to raise awareness for National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. This month is about more than just awareness—it’s about standing with every person fighting this devastating disease and reminding ourselves how important it is to have conversations with our doctors about our risks. Knowing the early signs could save lives, and we all need to be proactive in taking action. To learn more, visit www.theovariancancercircle.org.
Business Tax System Overhaul
During this week’s Budget Committee meeting, we received a presentation from the Office of Finance regarding potential reforms to the Business Tax Ordinance. It's clear that the current tax system is overly complex and outdated (having been last overhauled in the 1950s), making it difficult for businesses to navigate and pay their taxes efficiently. We plan to review the existing platform with the goal of improving the overall customer experience and working on updating the tax code to align with modern standards and needs.
Update on Oil Drilling
This week, the Energy and Environment Committee reviewed two key reports from the Board of Fire Commissioners, advancing our mission to hold oil well operators accountable and protect our communities from the harmful impacts of oil drilling. The first report proposes increasing bond requirements and imposing penalties for violations to ensure that oil companies cover the full cost of properly closing wells. This prevents abandoned wells from leaking harmful gasses like methane or toxic chemicals into the air, water, and soil, which can pose significant environmental and public health risks if not addressed responsibly. The second report outlined much-needed updates to inspection and permitting fees. As we work to phase out oil drilling in Los Angeles, these changes are essential to protect our neighborhoods from environmental and financial risks. These recommendations, though still under review, represent a critical step toward enforcing stronger accountability measures for oil companies.
At the committee hearing, I also stated very clearly that the city’s municipal code provisions that give the city authority to terminate the permit for wells that have been idle for more than a year must be rigorously enforced. I asked the City Attorney to provide recommendations for strengthening these provisions.
These reports come as Governor Newsom recently signed AB 3233 into law, which reaffirms the City’s right to protect our communities from the harms of oil drilling. For too long, oil companies have evaded accountability while endangering public health. Studies show that people living near oil wells face increased risks of asthma, cancer, and respiratory issues. This new law ensures that we can hold these companies responsible and prevent residents from being forced to live next to toxic wells. |
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GET READY STAY READY l October 5,2024
Learn how to keep yourself and your family, and your community prepared for natural disasters including wildfires, earthquakes, flood and more. Sign up here!
PST Art: Art & Science Collide l Open Now
Southern California’s landmark arts event, PST ART, returns to LA, presenting 70+ exhibitions at museums, art galleries, parks, and other venues across the Los Angeles region exploring the intersections of art and science, both past and present. Project topics range from climate change and environmental justice to the future of artificial intelligence and alternative medicine. For more information about PST ART: Art & Science Collide, please visit pst.art |
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Taste of Tehran
This week, we’re featuring Taste of Tehran, located at 1915 Westwood Boulevard in the heart of Tehrangeles. Since opening in 2013, this small, woman-owned restaurant has earned a loyal following for its delicious Persian dishes. Owner Saghar Fanisalek, known as Saghi, grew up in Iran and brings the flavors of her home to Los Angeles.
Taste of Tehran is more than just a spot for delicious kebabs—it’s also a part of the fabric of the Westwood community, which boasts one of the largest Iranian American populations outside of Iran. Whether you're stopping by for a quick bite or enjoying the popular Tehran plate special, Taste of Tehran is a great option when you’re craving really excellent Persian food.
Stay tuned for more local business highlights, and let us know if you have a favorite spot you’d like to see featured next! |
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Metro Service Advisory: D Line Rail Service Interruption l Sunday, September 8
Metro will replace electrical wires on a section of the Metro D Line to optimize its efficiency for a smooth rider experience. This work will require an interruption of rail service at Wilshire/Western Station and Wilshire/Normandie Station from 4:30 am, start of service, to 12:00 am, end of service, on Sunday, September 8, 2024. In place of the existing D Line, please utilize Line 20 and Line 720 on Wilshire Bl. B Line service will be increased during the daytime from every 12 minutes to every 10 minutes to accommodate riders and minimize delay.
Pedestrian Facilities Inventory and Condition Assessment Pilot Project
BOE recently kicked off a Pedestrian Facilities Inventory and Condition Assessment Pilot Project. The objective of the pilot project is to identify the minimum requirements, needs, technologies, and costs required to perform a citywide inventory and assessment of pedestrian facilities within the public right-of-way. (By pedestrian facilities, we mean: sidewalks, curb ramps, crosswalks, pedestrian signals, bus stops, etc.) The pilot will test various technologies in representative locations in order to determine the most cost-effective approach for capturing this information throughout the city.
While this is primarily a technology-focused project, they are soliciting public input through a stakeholder survey. The survey will help us to better understand your perspectives and priorities about pedestrian facilities. Spanish translation is available via the language setting at the top of the survey. The survey will remain open through mid-September.
The survey can be found here. |
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If you have any need pertaining to the City of Los Angeles, please reach out:
City Hall Office
200 N. Spring Street, Suite 440
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 473-7005
District Office
6380 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 800
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 866-1828
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Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 Unsubscribe |
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