Unpaying Tenant in Los Angeles Maxed Out on Covid Aid

Los Angeles County, California
General Landlording & Rental Properties
4yFollow

Unpaying Tenant in Los Angeles Maxed Out on Covid Aid

Zach L.
Investor and Real Estate Agent from Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 41 posts · 28 votes

One of our tenants in Los Angeles has not paid rent since the beginning of the pandemic, and was recently approved for rent assistance through CA's Housing Is Key program. This program has an 18 month cap on rent assistance, and the tenant has more than 18 months of outstanding rent.

I'm curious if anyone else has found themselves in a similar scenario and what options/solutions they have came across.

Thanks!

0Reply
37 views

Most Popular Reply

Will KennerPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Seattle · Member since 2018 · 134 posts · 100 votes
4y

@Zach L. That's unbelievable they've not paid for 18 months, sorry to hear that! With job openings at an all time high, there's no reason (other than protection from Sac-town) they couldn't have made rent. 

Along these same lines, we had a tenant not pay 2/2020 - 8/2020 and trashed their unit on the way out to the tune of $28k. Curious if anyone also knows if a similar program is available in WA state that would pay retro-actively?

1Reply
See this reply in the discussion

6 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Will KennerPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Seattle · Member since 2018 · 134 posts · 100 votes
    4y

    @Zach L. That's unbelievable they've not paid for 18 months, sorry to hear that! With job openings at an all time high, there's no reason (other than protection from Sac-town) they couldn't have made rent. 

    Along these same lines, we had a tenant not pay 2/2020 - 8/2020 and trashed their unit on the way out to the tune of $28k. Curious if anyone also knows if a similar program is available in WA state that would pay retro-actively?

    1Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    4y

    The "pandemic" is being used as a weapon by Tenants and they're propped up by politicians and an unjust justice system. Early on there was a form provided by the CDC that Tenants were supposed to fill out to justify their lack of payments, agree to make partial payments, and agree to seek all sources of assistance to get caught up. Rental assistance has been available for a year and jobs are plentiful around the country, yet we still have tenants that aren't paying anything and our justice system won't let us kick them out. It's incredible.

    I recommend you take the 18 months worth of assistance and then hire an attorney to start working on eviction. Try to find someone that specializes in evictions because there's got to be a way out.

    The DIY Landlord Book4.7247 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Lien VuongBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Boston, MA · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y
    Time to ask for that tenant to leave. Honestly, probably have 17 months ago. How is that they have not paid rent during that time when they have electric, phones, groceries, etc. They need to take responsibility and not just sit in your unit until they have run out of government aid. 
    [email protected]
    The Elle Group5153 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • David P.
    Member since 2020 · 404 posts · 235 votes
    4y

    Just curious since I'm in LA myself but how did the housing is key process work out? We're you able to get reimbursed for the 18 months already or still on going? What class neighborhood is this tenant in and were they good tenants prior to the pandemic or were already had signs of issues? 

    0Reply
  • Zach L.
    OP
    Investor and Real Estate Agent from Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 41 posts · 28 votes
    4y

    Thanks all!

    @Will Kenner best of luck to you finding your answer! In California, it looks like the rent assistance program does provide assistance for tenants that have since moved out, so hopefully it's a similar scenario in Washington for you.

    @David P. Housing is Key has been relatively easy to deal with for a government agency. We have a handful of tenants who have applied for some amount of aid and it has been a pretty smooth process. If you have any questions about it feel free to send me a message and I'd be happy to help anyway I can!

    0Reply
  • Greg M.
    Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Lien Vuong:
    How is that they have not paid rent during that time when they have electric, phones, groceries, etc. 
    In CA, utilities couldn't be turned off for non-payment during the pandemic. But don't worry about them having a large bill to catch up for the past 18 months, our state is covering the cost of utilities in addition to free rent. 

    They've been paying for groceries during the pandemic the same way as prior to the pandemic - food stamps. 
    0Reply
Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.
Log InJoin for Free