Los Angeles County will soon require non-individual landlords in the county to maintain their rental units of 82 degrees or less to protect vulnerable tenants from climate change.
County supervisors said Tuesday that passing a 4-to-0 law to combat heat-related deaths has increased nationwide. Supervisor Kathryn Barger did not vote.
“As we continue to face the warm summer, the ordinance is designed to provide relief to our non-legal residents and protect them from the dangers of extreme heat in homes,” said Superintendent Hilda Solis, who urged staff to start drafting the law last year.
this law It will take effect next month, but will not be implemented until January 2027, although landlords can request an extension. Old built rental units need to be followed.
Real estate with less real estate will have extra time. Supervisor Janice Hahn proposed an amendment so that landlords with 10 units or less can only keep a room at 82 degrees or lower until 2032.
Officials say the deadly heat wave has become More frequently And fiercely throughout the state, introducing the county a clear public health emergency.
“The community in Los Angeles County, especially in the San Fernando Valley, is experiencing previously unimaginable temperatures,” said Lindsey Horvath, director. “The Woodland Mountains has a person who has it. Record 121 degrees. This is unimaginable. ”
exist PhoenixLandlords are required to keep the air conditioner at 82 degrees or below. exist Clark CountyNevada, the unit cannot exceed 85 degrees. In Palm Springs, the unit needs to have air conditioning and cannot exceed 80 degrees.
Officials say the new law will be enforced through complaints, so if tenants think the unit is too hot, they can call the county. Then, inspectors from the county public health department will be sent to inspect the department. The goal is to keep the house as cool as possible without fines.
“Frankly, the path forward is not about relying on that power to issue quotes,” she said. “It will be about educating people.”
County officials said they encourage landlords to cool units through a “passive” and environmentally friendly approach, rather than air conditioning. May include blackout curtains, reflective roofs and triple-panel windows
Fred Sutton of the California Apartment Association. He said he was worried that requiring each room to be at a certain temperature and that if only one room was too hot, the landlord could be punished.
“You can actively cool the bedroom, living room and dining room, but the kitchen is not actively cooled, reaching 83 degrees,” he said. “You are creating very tough scenes in a completely cooled building.”
