View Full Version : My landlord is converting my apartment building into vacation rentals. What can he do
Vulpesvulpes
Aug 20, 2013, 06:11 PM
My landlord is converting my apartment building into vacation rentals.
There have been a lot of rumors floating around here about what the landlord can actually do in this situation. The scariest of which is that, once the building is a certain percentage vacation rentals, he can just decide to terminate my lease and kick me out. Can he do that?
Are there any other relevant laws on buildings that have both permanent and vacation rental apartments? If nothing else, a shove in the right general direction to find the answers would be most helpful.
LisaB4657
Aug 20, 2013, 06:23 PM
In most states the landlord cannot terminate your lease but he can terminate your tenancy once your lease ends. But we need to know the State where the property is located so we can look up the applicable law.
Vulpesvulpes
Aug 20, 2013, 06:25 PM
Oh shoot... I had that in an earlier draft of my question.
I live in Los Angeles, CA
LisaB4657
Aug 20, 2013, 06:37 PM
Okay, in California a landlord is not required to renew your lease once it ends. He can terminate your tenancy with 30 days written notice if you've lived there for less than one year, and 60 days notice if you've lived there for more than one year. So if your landlord is converting to vacation rentals then you can expect to receive a written notice from your landlord either 30 or 60 days prior to the end of your lease that it will not be renewed. But as long as you are not in violation of your lease he cannot terminate your tenancy in the middle of your lease.
Here is a site that explains all of your rights as a tenant in California: Landlord/Tenant Book Index - California Department of Consumer Affairs (http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/landlordbook/)
ScottGem
Aug 20, 2013, 06:48 PM
I wonder if conversion to vacation rentals comes under this law:
Los Angeles Condo Conversion Laws (http://www.caltenantlaw.com/LACondoConv.htm)
This law seems to indicate that a landlord can cancel an existing lease to complete the conversion, but must offer relocation assistance.
LisaB4657
Aug 20, 2013, 07:01 PM
That's for conversion to condominiums for sale. I can't see how it would apply to vacation rentals.
Fr_Chuck
Aug 21, 2013, 03:05 AM
If the zoning so allows, yes he can convert them to rentals, it is his property to convert.
He can not cancel your lease, but does not have to review the lease. If he wants you out sooner, he may offer to buy out your lease
ScottGem
Aug 21, 2013, 03:10 AM
That's for conversion to condominiums for sale. I can't see how it would apply to vacation rentals.
I realize that, but this sounds like a possible time share deal which is often referred to as vacation condos. The law also refers to hotels and that also seems like it could be used to cover vacation rentals.
I'm not saying its clear that this situation falls under that law, just that its possible. I would check with a LA real estate specialist.