Sean Ashton places anti-eviction measure on agenda, prompting threat of lawsuit

DOWNEY – Councilman Sean Ashton is asking the City Council to discuss an emergency ordinance that would prohibit landlords from evicting tenants without cause before Jan. 1, when a new housing law takes effect in California.

Ashton’s request, however, has already drawn the threat of a lawsuit by the Greater Downey Association of Realtors (DAOR).

The law, Assembly Bill 1482, imposes statewide rate control and prohibits no-fault evictions. It was signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October and takes effect Jan. 1.

In Los Angeles and other parts of the state, landlords have been trying to get ahead of the impending law by evicting tenants without cause to preemptively raise the rent.

Ashton requested that the Downey City Council discuss and, “if appropriate, give direction regarding an urgency ordinance prohibiting no-fault evictions to protect tenants until Jan. 1, 2020, when AB 1482 takes effect.”

The City Council is scheduled to discuss Ashton’s request at its meeting Tuesday.

In a letter to Mayor Rick Rodriguez, DAOR President Dan Nevarez said the realtors association opposes AB 1482 and cautioned the city against action that would place moratoriums on evictions ahead of Jan. 1.

“Doing so will force us to take legal action and seek an injunction,” Nevarez wrote.

“If the City Council shares our goal to protect the rights of property owners and the safety of all tenants, you will join us in waiting until January 1, 2020 when AB 1482 goes into effect, rather than making any attempt to implement new ordinances that would place moratoriums on evictions ahead of that date,” Nevarez added.

An urgency ordinance requires a super-majority approval by the City Council, meaning four of the five council members must vote in approval of the ordinance for it to take immediate effect.