Quick Answer
The Law Office of Zak Fisher represents tenants facing eviction in Westwood, including UCLA students and Westwood Village residents. Most multi-unit Westwood rentals are covered by LARSO, student-tenant cases have their own unique considerations.
Key Takeaways
- Westwood is part of the City of Los Angeles, most pre-1978 multi-unit rentals are LARSO-covered.
- UCLA student housing has unique considerations (academic-year leases, roommate situations, parental guarantors).
- Westwood Village historic buildings often have habitability issues that support tenant defenses.
- AB 1482 covers most non-LARSO properties built more than 15 years ago.
- For UCLA students, criminal charges arising at the same address can complicate the eviction defense.
Rent control coverage in Westwood
Westwood is part of the City of Los Angeles, so most multi-unit residential rentals built before October 1, 1978 are covered by the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance (LARSO). Westwood has a significant pre-1978 housing stock around Westwood Village and the UCLA-adjacent corridors. Student housing situations frequently involve academic-year leases, multiple roommates, and parental guarantors that create unique defense considerations.
For properties built after 1978, California’s AB 1482 typically applies, providing just-cause and rent-cap protection for tenancies of 12+ months.
Common Westwood eviction scenarios
- Owner move-in claims — frequently challenged when the stated owner does not actually move in.
- Ellis Act withdrawals — landlords withdrawing buildings from the rental market.
- Substantial remodel claims — often disputed when permits are insufficient.
- Alleged unpaid rent with LARSO non-compliance defects.
- Habitability disputes in older Westwood buildings.
- Retaliatory eviction following tenant complaints to LAHD or repair requests.
Relocation assistance for Westwood no-fault evictions
For LARSO-covered no-fault terminations in Westwood, the landlord must provide relocation assistance per the LA Housing Department schedule:
- Eligible tenants: approximately $9,000-$11,000.
- Qualified tenants (62+, disabled, or with minor children): approximately $20,000-$24,000.
The relocation amount must be tendered within 15 days of service of the termination notice. Failure to properly tender defeats the eviction.
Where Westwood eviction cases are heard
Unlawful detainer cases from Westwood are typically filed at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
What to do if you receive an eviction notice in Westwood
- Save the notice and document service.
- Check LARSO coverage via the LAHD online rent registry.
- Identify the stated basis for the eviction.
- Document any habitability problems.
- Contact a tenant attorney before any deadline expires. The 10-court-day Answer deadline after UD service is unforgiving.
Related guides
- I got served eviction papers, what to do now
- LARSO explainer
- AB 1482 just-cause
- Habitability defense
- Retaliatory eviction defense
- Looking for a Los Angeles eviction defense attorney? Our main tenant defense page covers the full eviction defense playbook.
- Eviction Defense Information Hub: comprehensive topic index for California tenants.
- What Happens After You File Your Answer
- How Long Does an Eviction Case Take in LA
- Neighborhood guides: Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Long Beach, Hollywood, Downtown LA
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