The Inglewood Rent Ordinance, codified at Inglewood Municipal Code Chapter 8, Articles 9 & 10, has four principal components, rent control, eviction control, an anti-harassment provision, and a buyout ordinance. Where an Inglewood tenant’s landlord attempts to negotiate a buyout agreement – a private agreement where the tenant voluntarily agrees to vacate their home in exchange for a monetary payment – the Inglewood Buyout Ordinance provides protections covering most Inglewood tenants as they negotiate and facilitate a buyout.
What is a Buyout Agreement?
A buyout agreement is not an eviction or a termination of tenancy. Rather, a buyout agreement is a contract. In exchange for a tenant voluntarily agreeing to vacate their home, the landlord agrees to pay a monetary payment. Buyouts are always optional and, to the extent not prohibited by law, the terms are negotiable. This means the vacate date, payment, and other terms of the agreement are completely negotiable. Inglewood tenants are free to refuse to enter into buyout negotiations, negotiate the agreement themselves, or retain an attorney to try and reach a deal. Although buyout agreements are negotiable contracts, the Inglewood Buyout Ordinance protects Inglewood tenants by regulating certain aspects of the buyout negotiation and agreement process.
The Inglewood Buyout Ordinance’s Tenant Protections
The Inglewood Buyout Agreement Ordinance has four key provisions. Where the buyout agreement fails to comply with the Inglewood Buyout Agreement Ordinance it is not effective and the Inglewood tenant may rescind the agreement at any time. Otherwise, Inglewood tenants have thirty (30) calendar days after signing the buyout agreement to rescind it. To be effective, the buyout agreement must meet the following requirements:
- A buyout agreement may not pay out less than the Inglewood tenant is entitled to recover in relocation assistance under the Inglewood Rent Ordinance;
- Before engaging in buyout negotiations the landlord must serve a written buyout disclosure document, published by the City of Inglewood, on the Inglewood tenant;
- The landlord must provide a copy of the fully executed buyout agreement to the Inglewood tenant; and,
- The landlord must file a copy of the fully executed buyout agreement with the Inglewood Rental Housing Board within three (3) calendar days of execution. Inglewood Municipal Code 8-123.1.
The Inglewood Buyout Ordinance Buyout Disclosure Document
The City of Inglewood’s buyout disclosure document must contain the following information:
- The Inglewood tenant has the right not to enter into the buyout agreement;
- The Inglewood tenant has the right to consult an attorney;
- The Inglewood tenant has the right to revise the proposed buyout agreement before signing the buyout agreement;
- The Inglewood tenant has the right to consult the City of Inglewood about the proposed buyout agreement; and,
- The Inglewood tenant has the right to rescind the buyout agreement at any time up to thirty (30) calendar days after the Inglewood tenant signs the buyout agreement. Id.
Inglewood Tenants May Rescind a Buyout Agreement for Landlord’s Failure to Comply With the Inglewood Buyout Ordinance
Where the buyout agreement fails to comply with the Inglewood Buyout Ordinance entirely the agreement is not effective, and the Inglewood tenant may rescind the buyout agreement at any time. Id. To rescind the buyout agreement, the Inglewood tenant must hand deliver, email, or mail via U.S. Mail a statement to the owner that the Inglewood tenant has rescinded the buyout agreement. Id. If the Inglewood tenant exercises their right to rescind the buyout agreement, the Inglewood tenant must file a copy of the statement to rescind provided to the owner with the City of Inglewood within three (3) calendar days. Id.
To discuss the Inglewood Buyout Ordinance, the Inglewood Rent Ordinance, Inglewood Ellis Act Evictions, Inglewood Owner Move-In Evictions, Inglewood wrongful evictions, Inglewood Rent Control, or California Rent Control (AB 1482) with a tenant attorney, contact Astanehe Law.