County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs New Consumer Laws 2009

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CONDO CONVERSIONS – CLEARER NOTICES FOR TENANTS

AB 763, Government Code 66452.5, 66452.8, 66452.9, 66459, 66499.37, 66452.11 and 66452.12

To get a condominium conversion approved, the law requires the subdivider to give prior notice to the tenants of the intent to convert and of their rights. Failure to notify the tenants can make the subdivider liable for paying financial penalties to the tenants.

This new law improves the required notices. In addition, if the original rental agreement was negotiated in Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, or Korean, the written notices regarding the condo conversion must also be issued in that language.

Under this law, the agency charged with approving a conversion cannot approve the conversion, unless it finds that:

• Each tenant and each person applying for the rental has received all required notices
• Each tenant has received or will receive the following written notices:
1. Notice of intention to convert, provided at least 60 days prior to the filing of a tentative map
2. 10-day notice saying that an application for a public report will be submitted to the Department of Real Estate
3. Notice that the subdivider has received the public report from the Department of Real Estate, provided within 5 days after the date the subdivider receives the public report
4. A notice within 10 days after approval of a final map
5. A 180-day notice of intention to convert, provided to the tenant prior to termination of tenancy due to the conversion
6. Notice of an exclusive right to purchase the condo under the same or better terms offered to the general public.

For more information:
County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs
B-96 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 W. Temple Street * Los Angeles, CA 90012-2706
Telephone (800) 593-8222 (within the County) * (213) 974-1452
Web site: dca.lacounty.gov