The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the city of Los Angeles to prohibit all rent increases in rent controlled units, approve a far-reaching eviction moratorium, and grant tenants one year to cover unpaid rent.

These actions go well beyond a statewide eviction moratorium ordered last week by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Mayor Eric Garcetti’ ordered his prohibition on rent increases Monday night, affecting roughly 624,000 rent controlled units for 12 months. Prior to his order, the annual cap on rent increases for these units sat at 4%, a figure based on the rate of inflation. 

Garcetti’s order came just days after the City Council approved a stringent COVID-19 eviction moratorium. Besides banning the eviction of tenants who can’t pay rent because of COVID-19, the measure prohibits all no-fault evictions and gives tenants up to 12 months after the local COVID-10 emergency period to pay any back rent.