Beverly Hills Extends Rent Increase and Eviction Moratorium

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — The Beverly Hills City Council voted on Oct. 26 to extend its temporary halt on evictions and rent increases during the pandemic.

Though the city's rent stabilization commission recommended the council end the eviction and rent increase relief, the council voted unanimously to extend the halt through April 1, 2022.

These protections were initially put in place on March 16, 2020 as part of an urgency ordinance and declaration of a local emergency. The urgency ordinance imposed a moratorium on evictions for tenants who failed to make rent due to the financial impacts of the pandemic, no-fault evictions and annual rent increases on already rent stabilized apartments.

Beverly Hills renters will still be required to pay any rent they missed within a year of the protections ending.

Many members of the public asked the council to extend the moratorium during the Oct. 26 council meeting. Speakers expressed fear that landlords would immediately increase rent even though the financial repercussions of the pandemic are not over for many residents.

"We've heard from our residents now who are very very concerned, and there's no reason that we shouldn't be continuing to offer them the protection that they deserve," Councilmember John Mirisch said. He added: "Now more than ever we need to ensure the stability of our residents, especially those who are hurting because of the pandemic."