Culver City tenant protections just stopped hundreds of evictions

A group of residents of The Meadows Apartments in the Fox Hills neighborhood has prevailed over their landlord’s efforts to override Culver City’s tenant protections ordinance. In 2024, the landlord sued the City of Culver City, intending to displace many of the 573 households, renovate their apartments, and then charge significantly higher rents. Renovating and removing tenants is prohibited under the ordinance and the city was intent on prohibiting it. 

The city fought the lawsuit alongside a group of residents, known as The Meadows Forward Action Committee. The city and the residents won at the trial court level in 2024, and the California Court of Appeals just affirmed the trial court ruling in an opinion dated April 23, 2026.

Back in 2023, the landlord sent a demand letter to the city warning about the possibility of a lawsuit that would “result in significant financial damages to the City” and “create a substantial hardship for the residents.” In the end, the Court of Appeals required the landlord to pay for the city’s and the residents’ costs in connection with the appeal.

The Meadows Forward Action Committee shared a statement on the news of the victory: “This cause has been long and drawn out, however it was necessary to hold fast, so that both the Culver City Rent Control Ordinance and Tenant Protection Ordinance were left intact.”

Resources for Renters:

stayhousedla.org  “An informed tenant is an empowered tenant. Stay Housed LA helps you understand and protect your rights.” 
bettzedek.org/series/tenants-rights-culver-city  “Bet Tzedek holds a monthly Culver City Tenant Rights Clinic as well as individual appointments”