Over the past two weeks, the individual responsible for assisting Koreans at risk of eviction has expressed concern over hesitant residents who avoid seeking help, as well as potential evictees who reach out after already receiving a sheriff’s eviction order.
This is the harsh reality for those affected, stemming from the 18-month period between March 2020 and September 2021, where some tenants were unable to pay rent in full due to pandemic-related hardships. If these tenants failed to catch up on rent payments by August 1, 2023, they now face a high risk of eviction.
The eviction process typically begins with a landlord notifying the tenant of the unpaid rent, allowing a grace period of 7 to 30 days to vacate the unit. If the tenant remains in the property, the landlord proceeds with an eviction lawsuit. If the tenant fails to respond to the lawsuit, they lose the contested case, leading to the County Sheriff’s Department issuing an eviction order within three to five days, and ultimately, the eviction is carried out.
Alarming estimates from the city suggest that approximately 37,000 households may be evicted by early next year. Many Korean tenants who have failed to make overdue rent payments are still unaware of the severity of the problem, and a significant number of them are not actively seeking assistance.
John Kim, an attorney from Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles (AAAJ-LA), points out one significant obstacle — the language barrier, as the documents involved are in English. As a solution, Kim emphasizes the importance of initiating a conversation with the landlord or property manager.
If the matter proceeds to trial, a judgment is typically issued within six to 12 weeks. To ensure a stronger case, Kim advises tenants to thoroughly prepare documentary evidence and approach the situation pragmatically through consultation. He highlights that negotiating a settlement and relocating elsewhere without a trial or collection notice can be a “realistic alternative” for some tenants, leading to rent reductions or waivers.
Despite facing these challenges, certain tenants, particularly seniors in their 60s and 70s, may refrain from seeking help due to a lack of qualifications or financial resources, leading them to give up without exploring all possible avenues for assistance.
It’s essential for tenants to be aware that eviction doesn’t directly impact their credit score, but any debt reported by a debt collection agency can affect future agreements with landlords and apartment managers. Experts strongly advise focusing on preventing eviction, but if relocation becomes necessary, they recommend negotiating arrangements that avoid accumulating debt.
To improve the chances of resolving an eviction issue, experts recommend responding to eviction notices within five days of receiving them and seeking rent assistance from city staff by calling 866-557-7368.
In a positive development, the City of Los Angeles has allocated over $18 million for rent assistance through a special revenue measure, Measure ULA, aimed at preventing evictions. Tenants facing eviction in LA can access information and assistance at stayhousedla.org/en.
BY BRIAN CHOI [choi.inseong@koreadaily.com]
