A Long Beach lease agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant to rent property within the city. This document specifies the terms and conditions of the rental arrangement, including rent amount, duration of the lease, rules for property use, and responsibilities of both parties.
Long Beach Lease Requirements
Landlords in Long Beach must provide tenants with specific mandatory notices or disclosures, which may supplement California’s lease agreement requirements. However, there are some local considerations landlords should keep in mind:
Just Cause Eviction Ordinance
In Long Beach, landlords cannot evict tenants without just cause, which includes both at-fault and no-fault reasons (Long Beach Municipal Code Sec. 8.99.020).
No-fault evictions occur when termination isn’t due to tenant fault, like the landlord or family member needing the unit. At-fault evictions result from tenant wrongdoing, such as rent non-payment. Tenants facing no-fault evictions may receive relocation benefits, and if the property reopens, landlords must offer it to the displaced tenant first, who has ten days to respond (Long Beach Municipal Code Sec.18.25.130).
Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance
Landlords are required to provide relocation assistance to eligible tenants facing no-fault evictions. Property owners with four or more units must offer relocation payments ranging from $2,706 to $4,500, as stipulated by city ordinance. Tenants qualify for relocation payments if they experience a significant rent increase, receive a notice to vacate due to unit rehabilitation, or are in good standing when served a non-renewal or vacate notice.
However, certain exemptions apply to landlords, including those owning single buildings with exactly four units, occupying a unit as their primary residence in a multi-family building, or complying with government orders due to a natural disaster. Additionally, landlords of affordable housing units or those built after February 1, 1995, are exempt from relocation assistance requirements.
Senior and Disabled Security Deposit Program
The Long Beach City Council initiated a program aimed at helping tenants with disabilities and low-income senior tenants meet their security deposit obligations. This program will offer a one-time grant of up to $3,000 to assist in covering expenses associated with security deposit payments.
Tenant Right to Counsel Program
Long Beach has collaborated with Stay Housed LA on the Right to Counsel Program, which supports low-income tenants. Through this initiative, tenants gain access to counseling resources and additional services provided by the county.
Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA)
HOPWA aims to establish safe housing options for people with AIDS. Long Beach has teamed up with the Alliance for Housing and Healing to extend housing assistance to eligible tenants living with AIDS.
Optional Lease Disclosures and Addendums
Although not mandatory, landlords have the option to include specific disclosures and addendums in their leases. This practice assists in establishing tenant responsibilities and can mitigate potential liability concerns:
- Fire safety disclosure: Considering California’s heightened wildfire risk, landlords may opt to incorporate a fire safety disclosure into the lease agreement. This should include details regarding smoke detectors, fire sprinklers, fire safety systems, alarms, and evacuation plans.
- Asbestos disclosure: Given California’s ranking as the top state for asbestos-related deaths, landlords should provide disclosure regarding the presence of asbestos on the property. If asbestos is detected, tenants should take precautions to reduce the risk of disturbing asbestos fibers.
