Managing rental property in West Hollywood can be tricky under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO, Title 17). A common landlord headache involves tenants installing unauthorized amenities in shared spaces, such as:
- Outdoor barbecues in courtyards or patios.
- Surveillance cameras aimed at shared common areas.
Both raise serious lease compliance, safety, and privacy issues, and many landlords wonder:
👉 If a tenant installs these items and they go unnoticed for months or years, do they become a protected “housing service” under the West Hollywood RSO?
1. Lease Terms Control First
In our example, the 2014 lease prohibits barbecues. The same logic applies to unauthorized security cameras: if the lease does not grant tenants the right to install surveillance in shared areas, the installation is unauthorized.
Under California Civil Code §1941.1 and the RSO, tenants must comply with lawful lease terms. Tenant-installed barbecues and cameras in shared common areas are considered unauthorized improvements.
2. Housing Services vs. Unauthorized Amenities
The RSO §17.08 (Definitions) defines “housing services” as services provided by the landlord, such as parking, laundry, or appliances.
- A tenant-installed barbecue or surveillance system is not a landlord-provided service and therefore not automatically protected under the RSO.
- RSO §17.56 (Maintenance Standards) obligates landlords to maintain amenities they provide, but not unauthorized additions.
3. Does Long-Term Tolerance Make Them Legal?
Certain RSO sections create presumptions about timelines (e.g., repainting, carpets, flooring under §17.56.010(f)). But there is no section in Title 17 that converts unauthorized items into protected services simply because they’ve been tolerated for a year or more.
⚠️ The risk increases if these items are tolerated indefinitely. A tenant could later argue that removal amounts to a “reduction in housing services” under §17.44 (rent decrease petitions). While the City has not ruled specifically on BBQs or cameras, tenants have succeeded on similar arguments regarding common-area amenities like parking or laundry.
4. Enforcement Options for Landlords
If you discover unauthorized barbecues or cameras:
- Send a written demand for removal citing the lease violation, safety risks (fire hazards from barbecues, privacy violations from cameras), and West Hollywood RSO compliance.
- If ignored, serve a 3-Day Notice to Cure or Quit under CCP §1161(3).
- Document the violation thoroughly in case of future petitions or disputes.
5. Risks of Inaction
- Barbecues left in place could later be argued as an “implied service,” and tenants may file for a rent decrease if removed.
- Security cameras raise additional privacy and liability concerns, especially if aimed at neighbors or common areas, and could expose landlords to complaints beyond the RSO (including harassment or nuisance claims).
Allowing either to remain unchallenged may weaken a landlord’s position in future disputes.
✅ Conclusion
Under the West Hollywood RSO, unauthorized amenities like tenant-installed barbecues and security cameras are not protected housing services.
- There is no automatic rule that long-term tolerance makes them legal.
- However, delayed enforcement creates risk if tenants later argue these items became part of their housing services.
- The strongest defense: point to the lease prohibition, the fact that they were never landlord-provided, and cite safety/privacy concerns.
👉 Best practice: act quickly, issue a removal demand, and, if necessary, follow with a 3-Day Notice to Cure or Quit.
Work With Experts in West Hollywood Property Management
At Boutique Property Management, we help landlords navigate the complex rules of the West Hollywood Rent Stabilization Ordinance. Whether it’s enforcing lease terms, handling unauthorized amenities, or ensuring compliance with Title 17, our team protects your property and minimizes legal risks.📞 Call us today at 818-696-4498 or visit www.boutiquepropmgmt.com to learn more about RSO compliance and professional property management services in West Hollywood.