Los Angeles County Mandates All Rentals Be Inspected Every 4 Years

LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors gave final approval April 23 to changes in the county’s rental housing inspection program and enforcement policies, mandating inspections every four years for all rental units in unincorporated areas. After tentatively approving the changes earlier this month, the board on Tuesday unanimously and without discussion gave final approval to the overhaul of its Rental Housing Habitability and Rent Escrow Account programs. The new ordinance will take effect in six months. The Rental Housing Habitability (RHH) Program will require all rentals to be routinely inspected once every four years, which would be on top of any complaint-based inspections. The Rent Escrow Account Program (REAP) allows for rent reductions on properties that do not timely correct violations of housing standards. In other words, if a landlord does not address certain issues in a timely manner, tenants can seek a reduction in their rent through the county program until the problem is addressed....