Hi everybody,

I have a rent-control tenant in L.A. California who does not have a written lease and refuses to sign one.

This tenant changed the locks about five years ago and has continually refused to give owner/manager a key.

May I move to evict on:

1) refusal to sign a lease, or;

2) refusal to provide reasonable access.

Hello rent:

I think rent controlled means you can't raise the rent by certain amounts. It doesn't mean that you can't evict someone. Besides, if they don't have a lease, they're month to month tenants, and you don't need to EVICT. Just give 'em 30 day's notice. You don't EVEN need a reason.

excon

Right, without a written lease, they are month to month tenants. However, rent control does require giving a reason So refusal to allow access could be a valid reason. Send them a written notice NOW that you are terminating the agreement as of 9/30 and you expect them to be out by that date or face eviction proceedings.

Did some further research, Under the RENT STABILIZATION ORDINANCE
American Legal Publishing - Online Library
There are 12 reasons for eviction listed. The following two apply to you:

5. The tenant, who had a written lease or rental agreement which terminated on or after the effective date of this chapter, has refused, after written request or demand by the landlord to execute a written extension or renewal thereof for a further term of like duration with similar provisions and in such terms as are not inconsistent with or violative of any provision of this chapter or any other provision of law.
6. The tenant has refused the landlord reasonable access to the unit for the purpose of making repairs or improvements, or for the purpose of inspection as permitted or required by the lease or by law, or for the purpose of showing the rental unit to any prospective purchaser or mortgagee.

So you do have grounds for eviction.

Thank you excon and ScottGem for taking the time to answer my question.
Have a great weekend!