Question: What is a hearing?
Answer: A hearing is a quasi-judicial administrative proceeding conducted by a Hearing Officer pursuant to the provisions of the Los Angeles Municipal Code. The hearing affords constituents their rights under due process to contest decisions made by the Los Angeles Housing Department.
Question: Can I request a hearing for any housing related matter or dispute?
Answer: No, only the types of hearings authorized by Los Angeles City Ordinances can be scheduled. Click here to see the list of hearings conducted by the Los Angeles Housing Department.
Question: How will I know the day and time of a hearing for my case?
Answer: You will receive a notice in the mail before the hearing. In addition, for some types of cases, the subject property will be posted with the hearing information.
Question: Where will the hearing take place?
Answer: The location of the hearing is listed in the notice that is sent to you. Most hearings take place at the Garland Building, 1200 West 7th Street, 1st Floor Hearing Room, Los Angeles, CA 90017. If the hearing will be held at a different location, the notice will list the address.
Question: Is there parking?
Answer: There is a parking structure behind the Garland Building, but there is a charge for parking. The Los Angeles Housing Department will not validate your parking. There are also parking meters on the streets near the Garland building. You will be responsible for making sure there is enough time on the meter and that you are not parking during street cleaning. There are also private lots in the area that charge a flat fee for parking.
Question: What if I do not speak any English?
Answer: A Spanish-speaking translator will be on call. If you speak a foreign language other than Spanish, please bring someone with you to translate for you. If this is impossible, please call the Hearing Section contact person listed in the notice as soon as possible before the hearing date to request a translator.
Question: What should I bring to a hearing?
Answer: Bring your California ID or some other form of identification with you.
Question: What happens when I show up for the hearing?
Answer: Before you go into the hearing room, Hearing Section staff will ask you to sign in. Staff will also read an opening statement explaining the procedures for the hearing. Please refer to the following photograph (click here).
Question: What are the procedures for the hearing?
Answer: There are slight variations depending on the type of case that is being heard, but in general, the following procedures are followed:
1. If foreign language translation is required, an oath will be administered to the translator so that the translator affirms that he or she will faithfully and accurately translate the proceedings.
2. For all those who are going to testify, an oath will be administered so that those testifying affirm that their testimony is the truth.
3. The Department representative will present a brief background report for the case.
4. The appellant (or applicant) will submit relevant evidence to the Hearing Officer and/or explain the grounds for the appeal.
5. Following this, the Hearing Officer will hear any relevant opposing testimony and/or relevant testimony from any interested third parties.
6. Those testifying will have a reasonable opportunity to present their testimony, and there will be the opportunity for meaningful opposing testimony.
7. If there are speakers whose testimony is essentially the same, it is requested that testimony not be duplicated and that, to the extent possible, a representative be chosen to provide the testimony for the group. Repetitive statements will be limited.
8. All comments, testimony, and questions will be addressed to the Hearing Officer, and there will be no discussion among the parties during the course of the hearing.
Question: Can I submit documents or photographs to the Hearing Officer at the hearing?
Answer: Yes. Please note the following requirements for submitting evidence to the Hearing Officer:
1. The Hearing Officer will only accept into the record any photographic or documentary evidence if the original or a copy is submitted to the Hearing Officer to keep.
2. All photographic evidence submitted must indicate the following:
A. Date photo taken
B. The unit depicted or what is being depicted in the photograph
C. The violation to which it corresponds, if applicable
Question: Can I submit evidence to the Hearing Officer after the hearing?
Answer: No evidence will be accepted after the hearing unless agreed to by the Hearing Officer at the hearing.
Question: What does a hearing look like?
Answer: In the following photograph, the Hearing Officer in the center is conducting the hearing. The Department representative on the right is presenting the background report for this case and answering technical questions. The Hearing Section staff person on the right is recording the hearing and assisting the Hearing Officer. (click here).
Question: What if I am unable to attend the hearing?
Answer: If you are unable to attend the hearing, your options are as follows:
1. You can send someone to represent you at the hearing and/or
2. You can mail, fax, or e-mail a statement for the Hearing Officer’s review, and request that this statement be read into the record. Whatever you submit must be received by the Hearing Section by the day before the hearing. Please make sure the case number, property address, and hearing date are on any documents you submit. Click here for contact information.
Question: Can I appeal the Hearing Officer’s decision?
Answer: It depends on what the Ordinance for your type of case authorizes. Please read the written Hearing Officer’s decision carefully for details regarding any appeal procedures.
Question: Can I get a transcript of the hearing?
Answer: A transcript of the hearing is not prepared, but a duplicate of the recording is available for a fee of $25 per cassette tape or CD. Click here for the form to fill out to request a copy of the recording.
Question: Can I get copies of evidence that was submitted or documents that are in the case file?