Union de Vecinos Wins Just Cause Ordinance for City of Maywood

Wednesday November 19, 2008 | Los Angeles

On October 28, 2008 the City Council of Maywood in California voted to adopt a Just Cause Ordinance to provide protections for tenants. Union de Vecinos began organizing in 2007 around housing conditions in Maywood. When making a complaint to a landlord to have repairs done, residents were either threatened with eviction, increased rents, or flat out told to leave if they didn't like the conditions they were living in. This left residents having to fend for themselves and make whatever repairs they could to improve their housing. After two years of organizing and meeting with City Council officials, we won our fight and now tenants have protections. There are only 10 reasons that a tenant can be evicted in Maywood which include:

1)    Failure to pay your rent

2)    Violation of Rental Agreement

3)    Nuisance, waste and disorderly conduct

4)    Illegal Purpose

5)    Non-renewal

6)    Denial of Access to Unit

7)    Subtenant

8)    Owner Occupancy or Recovery

9)    Removal from Rental Market or Demolition

10)   Compliance with Order to Vacate

This law becomes effective December 1, 2008. We would also like to thank the Eviction Defense Network for all their support on this ordinance. NEXT STEP RENT CONTROL!!!