Under Pasadena’s Just Cause Eviction protections, an owner or qualified relative move-in may be considered a no-fault just cause reason for eviction. This means a tenant may be required to move even if they have not violated their lease or rental agreement.
A qualified relative includes the owner’s spouse, domestic partner, child, grandchild, parent, or grandparent. Nearly all residential properties in Pasadena are covered by Just Cause Eviction protections, though some exemptions may apply. Not sure if your unit is covered? Visit the Rent Stabilization Department's "Is My Unit Covered?" webpage to learn more.
🔹 What Must the Owner Do?
Before pursuing an owner or qualified-relative move-in eviction, the owner must meet specific requirements. These may include providing required notices, paying relocation assistance, submitting required documents to the Rent Stabilization Department, and moving into the unit within 60 days after the tenant vacates. The owner or qualified relative must also occupy the unit as their primary residence for 36 continuous months.
🔹 Important Tenant Protections
An owner move-in eviction may not be permitted in certain situations, including when the owner or qualified relative already lives in a unit on the property, when a comparable unit is available, or when the tenant has lived in the unit for five years or more and is 60 or older, disabled, or terminally ill.
Households with school-aged children may also have additional protections. If a tenant has lived in a covered unit for at least 12 months, an owner or qualified-relative move-in eviction generally cannot take effect during the school year, from the second week of August through the first week of June, when a school-aged child lives in the unit and is a tenant, has a custodial relationship with a tenant, or is a qualifying family member. Exceptions may apply for certain health or safety emergencies.
Speak with a Housing Counselor at (626) 744-7999 to learn how these requirements may apply to your situation.