Resources
Our team has worked together with our community organizers and partners to create the best resources that tenants can utilize whenever they're in a time of need, or are seeking information. Keep in mind, LiBRE is not a housing provider. For resources beyond our capacity, please visit our General Resource page.
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"I have received a rent increase. What should I do?"There is currently no rent control in the city. HOWEVER, there is a maximum of how much your rent can be increased per year. Your landlord can only increase your rent up to 10% per year. If you are unsure if you have received a legal rent increase, use the rent increase calculator at this link: tenantprotections.org/calculator.
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My building was sold and/or we have a new management company. What should I look out for?There are 3 things you should look out for if this happens: Your landlord may try to make you sign a new lease with different terms and changes, possibly resulting in extra charges. Your landlord may try to immediately increase rent. Your landlord may try to evict you because they want to remodel the building or rent out to new tenants. If these things are happening to you and you are a non-Section 8 market-rate tenant, please fill out our form [https://forms.gle/k6rTyBrqa1Vh1dQW8] to connect with one of our organizers.
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“My landlord is refusing to make repairs. What should I do?”If your landlord is refusing to make repairs, we encourage you to file a report by calling Code Enforcement at (562) 570-2633. If you are a non-Section 8 market-rate tenant, please fill out our form [https://forms.gle/k6rTyBrqa1Vh1dQW8] to connect with one of our organizers.
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“My landlord is harassing me. What should I do?”Currently, there is an anti-tenant harassment ordinance throughout the city of Long Beach which entitles tenants to sue their landlord. If you’re facing active harassment from your landlord and are a non-Section 8 market-rate tenant, please fill out our form [https://forms.gle/k6rTyBrqa1Vh1dQW8] to connect with one of our organizers.
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“My landlord wants to evict me because they want to renovate my building/unit. What should I do?”For substantial remodel evictions, your landlord must first give you a 90-day notice (DO NOT MOVE OUT IMMEDIATELY). Once that 90-day notice expires, they can begin the eviction process through the Long Beach Courthouse. Disclaimer: Substantial remodel falls under a “no-fault” eviction, which means the eviction will NOT count against you. Your rental history will not be affected and it will not be added to your record. If you are being evicted for substantial remodel or any “no-fault” eviction, you are entitled to $4,800 in relocation assistance from the city of Long Beach or 2-months rent, whichever is greater. Disclaimer: If you are renting from a privately-owned landlord with 4 units or less, you may not qualify for relocation assistance. If you have questions and are a non-Section 8 market-rate tenant, please fill out our form [https://forms.gle/k6rTyBrqa1Vh1dQW8] to connect with one of our organizers.
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“When do I need a lawyer?”You need a lawyer when you have received an Unlawful Detainer, which is an eviction order filed through the Long Beach Courthouse or the Los Angeles Superior Courthouse. To fill out a StayHoused L.A. intake form to begin the process of connecting with an attorney, visit https://www.stayhousedla.org/referral. If you’re a Long Beach resident and you’ve already filled out the Stay Housed L.A. intake form, please fill out our form [https://forms.gle/k6rTyBrqa1Vh1dQW8] to connect with one of our organizers. Disclaimer: Unfortunately, due to the lack of funding for a right-to-counsel program, attorneys are only serving those who have outstanding Unlawful Detainer through the court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Renter Assistance
Use the rent calculator tool at tenantprotections.org/calculator to verify if a rent increase is legal.
If you have received an Unlawful Detainer from your landlord and need support responding to your notice, visit tenantpowertoolkit.org. Keep in mind that you MUST respond to the courthouse within five business days of receiving the document.
Low-income tenants can connect with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles at lafla.org for legal assistance.
For additional legal assistance, tenant workshops, and other resources of LA County residents, visit stayhousedla.org.
Section 8.101.030 of the Long Beach Municipal Code was amended December 17, 2020, to protect tenants from being harassed by landlords. Harassment includes:
G. Take action to terminate any tenancy, including service of any notice to quit or other eviction notice or bring any action to recover possession of a rental housing unit, based upon facts which owner has no reasonable cause to believe to be true or upon a legal theory which is untenable under the facts known to the owner.
This is punishable by a $2000-$5000 fine if you take them to court. Read all the actions considered harassment here.